The First Records of Albinism in Several Colubridae Species in Ukraine

O. Yu.  Marushchak; N. A.  Smirnov; T. Yu.  Hrynchyshyn; O. D.  Nekrasova; N. P.  Koval; O. Ya.  Horbey; V. A.  Bakun; M.  Pupins; H. I.  Mykytynets; M.  Vlašín; O. S.  Shorokhov; V. O.  Shevchuk; I. G.  Khomyn; J.-Y. Georges

doi:10.15407/zoo2025.06.519

O. Yu. Marushchak I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, Université de Strasbourg, France https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9380-5593
N. A. Smirnov Chernivtsi Regional Museum of Local Lore, Chernivtsi, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9731-6404
T. Yu. Hrynchyshyn Lviv Branch of the Ukrainian Herpetological Society https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2391-3745
O. D. Nekrasova І.І. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine; Université de Strasbourg France; Department of Ecology Daugavpils University Daugavpils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6680-0092
N. P. Koval Uzhanskyi National Nature Park, Zakarpattia region, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2786-1276
O. Ya. Horbey Uzhanskyi National Nature Park, Zakarpattia region, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5807-7249
V. A. Bakun State Enterprise “Kalush Test Experimental Plant of Surface Chemistry Institute of NAS of Ukraine”, Lviv Branch of the Ukrainian Herpetological Society
M. Pupins Department of Ecology Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5445-9250
H. I. Mykytynets Pryazovsky National Nature Park, Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9623-8088
M. Vlašín Department of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
O. S. Shorokhov Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
V. O. Shevchuk Educational and Scientific Center “Institute of Biology and Medicine”, Taras Shevchenko national University of Kyiv, Ukraine
I. G. Khomyn Strict Nature Reserve "Roztochya", Ivano-Frankove, Lviv region, Ukraine
J.-Y. Georges Université de Strasbourg, France https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1161-2275

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/zoo2025.06.519

Keywords: Natrix, Zamenis, snakes, leucism, Eastern Europe, abnormal coloration

Abstract

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.

Author Biographies

O. Yu. Marushchak, I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, Université de Strasbourg, France

Junior Researcher, Department of Animal Monitoring and Conservation, І.І. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine.

Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.

O. D. Nekrasova, І.І. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine; Université de Strasbourg France; Department of Ecology Daugavpils University Daugavpils, Latvia

Leading Researcher, Department of Animal Monitoring and Conservation, І. І. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine.

Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.

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