New record of melanism in Southern Tigrina Leopardus guttulus (Carnivora, Felidae): a recently recognized and threatened species

Abstract

Melanism can represent examples of adaptive evolution such as camouflage and thermoregulation, which can determine the explored habitat and the periods of greatest activity of felines with this phenotype. Despite being considered relatively common, cases of melanism in Leopardus guttulus are rarely reported. Thus, we present a new record of melanism regarding this species in southern Brazil. The record was made with a camera-trap set near the forest edge, at a place with high light incidence. We provide an important contribution to understanding the geographic distribution of melanism in L. guttulus.

Keywords

• conservation
• genetic mutation
• geographic distribution
• oncilla