We're all familiar with albino animals. Albinism is caused by a genetic defect. This defect can result in no melanin in the skin or a reduced amount of melanin. Since melanin is either dark brown or black, animals with albinism are white or mostly white.
The reverse can also happen, though it's more rare. This phenomena is called 'melanism'.
Just like with albinism, there are cases where animals are partially melanistic.
In the wild, most cases of melanism are caused by a mutation of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene. Adaptive cases are passed down by dominate genes. These animals are usually more likely to survive than their colorful counterparts because the darkness usually disguises them well. The black panther is the perfect example. It isn't a separate specie as is commonly believed, it is just a melanistic breed of panther. Black panthers use this adaptation to hunt at night. Adaptive melanism is also responsible for several morphs, notably the peppered moth.
This morph is particularly good at blending in with bark. It's important to note that melanism doesn't exist in humans. Melanism is most common in cats, though it is also found in other mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
This beautiful phenomenon is becoming more common (likely a result of its dominance in genetics) and hopefully we'll see more variations of species like the black panther.
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