noun
- Plural of leucism; a genetic condition in animals characterized by reduced pigmentation, resulting in pale or white coloration while retaining normal eye color.
Usage: biology; zoology
Examples
- Leucisms in reptiles can make them appear ghostly white while their eyes remain pigmented.
- The researcher studied leucisms in wild bird populations to understand genetic variation.
- Unlike albinism, leucisms preserve the animal's eye pigmentation.
- Several leucisms have been documented in captive snake breeding programs.
- The distinction between leucisms and albinism is important in wildlife biology.