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A leucistic platypus observed on the New England Tablelands of New South Wales

  • Louise M Streeting
  • , Richard Daugherty
  • , Sarah Burrows
  • , Deborah S Bower
  • , Sandy Watson
  • , Neve Daugherty
  • , Martin L Dillon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Genetic mutations resulting in abnormal colouration occur across all vertebrate groups but are considered rare, especially in mammals. Hypo-pigmentary conditions can be separated into albinism, leucism and piebaldism. The impact of colour variation on an animal’s risk of predation and its ability to blend with its surroundings is widely recognised. We report our observations of a white platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in a tributary of the Gwydir River in the upper reaches of the Murray Darling Basin, New South Wales, Australia. We describe our observations in the context of historical platypus records since 1835.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberAM23027
Pages (from-to)1-7
JournalAustralian Mammalogy
Volume46
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Oct 2023

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