The First Records of Albinism in Several Colubridae Species in Ukraine

• Date: 2025
• Main Authors: Marushchak, O. Yu., Smirnov, N. A., Hrynchyshyn, T. Yu., Nekrasova, O. D., Koval, N. P., Horbey, O. Ya., Bakun, V. A., Pupins, M., Mykytynets, H. I., Vlašín, M., Shorokhov, O. S., Shevchuk, V. O., Khomyn, I. G., Georges, J.-Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine 2025
• Online Access: https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/823
• Journal Title: Zoodiversity

Abnormal colouration in reptiles, such as melanism, albinism and leucism, provides important insights into ecological stress, genetic variability and population dynamics in reptiles, a group of vertebrates that reacts to various environmental stresses early on. This study presents the first documented cases of albinism and leucism in Colubridae snakes in Ukraine, providing new data for the wider European context. Between 2000 and 2025, eight cases of colouration anomalies were recorded: four in Aesculapian snakes (Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768)), three in dice snakes (Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768)) and one in a grass snake (Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)). These observations were supported by photographic or video evidence and primarily occurred in two localised regions: Zakarpattia for Z. longissimus and the Dniester estuary for N. tessellata. One albino Z. longissimus specimen was successfully kept in captivity, enabling long-term observation of its growth and behaviour. These findings suggest the presence of local concentrations of recessive alleles and imply that environmental pressures could perpetuate such traits. Our data enrich current knowledge of herpetological diversity and colouration anomalies in Eastern Europe, highlighting the value of long-term monitoring and citizen science in biodiversity research.