Albino and melanistic genets (Genetta genetta) in Europe

While melanistic genets (Genetta spp.) are well known in a few species of the genus, albino specimenshave not been described to date. Here, we report on the presence of unusual albino and melanistic common genets (Genetta genetta) in Spain, discussing their frequency of occurrence in the wild. Melanistic and albino common genets are not known in the original African range of the species, thus phenotypical variability in coat colour appears to be greater in Europe, its introduced range. Natural (e.g. a reduced risk of predation in Europe) and/or artificial (e.g. captive-rearing of the species) selection could explain this fact, but more research on the topic is needed.Peer Reviewe