Feb 6, 2024
During 2022, argentinian researchers studying penguins in Antarctica found a melanistic gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) with an unusual plumage coloration in Esperanza/Hope Bay, north of the Antarctic Peninsula. The unusual coloration of the penguin was identified as melanism, a genetic condition that causes an excess of melanin pigment in feathers, this phenomenon is also found in other vertebrates. This partially black gentoo pengui appeared to be in good health and exhibited normal behavior. According to scientists, melanism is unusual, and may occurs in one in 250,000 penguins.
Reference: Nigro, et al. 2023. A case of melanism in a Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctica. Polar Biol.
