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The First Record of Leucism in the Rhabdophis tigrinus (Boie, 1826) (Squamata, Colubridae) in South Korea
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  • Seung-Min Park,
  • Seung-Ju Cheon,
  • Hye-Rin Park,
  • Na-Yeong Kim,
  • Md Mizanur Rahman,
  • Ha-Cheol Sung
Seung-Min Park
Chonnam National University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Seung-Ju Cheon
Chonnam National University
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Hye-Rin Park
Chonnam National University
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Na-Yeong Kim
Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology
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Md Mizanur Rahman
Chonnam National University
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Ha-Cheol Sung
Chonnam National University
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Abstract

Leucism, in which pigmentation is lost over part or the entire body of an animal, has a range of possible genetic causes. Here, we report leucism in an individual tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) found on Jeung Island, Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, during a survey of the distribution of reptiles in the area. The individual was observed sunbathing in the bushes next to a pond. This individual exhibited ecdysis, thus it considered that have normal feeding activity. Our report represents the first observation of leucism in R. tigrinus, and thus, further analysis is needed of this phenotype to more clearly understand its impact on the species and its natural history.
07 Nov 2023Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
07 Nov 2023Submission Checks Completed
07 Nov 2023Assigned to Editor
07 Nov 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending