Leucistic Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
A Leucistic Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) photographed on Gillies Lake in the Gillies Lake Conservation Area in the City of Timmins Northeastern Ontario Canada.
Leucism (occasionally spelled leukism) is a general term for the phenotype resulting from defects in pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest to skin, hair, or feathers during development. This results in either the entire surface (if all pigment cells fail to develop) or patches of body surface (if only a subset are defective) having a lack of cells capable of making pigment.
Leucistic Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
A Leucistic Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) photographed on Gillies Lake in the Gillies Lake Conservation Area in the City of Timmins Northeastern Ontario Canada.
Leucism (occasionally spelled leukism) is a general term for the phenotype resulting from defects in pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest to skin, hair, or feathers during development. This results in either the entire surface (if all pigment cells fail to develop) or patches of body surface (if only a subset are defective) having a lack of cells capable of making pigment.