Which of these is a condition that causes a reduction in multiple types of pigment?

Leucism is a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal - which causes white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes. It is occasionally spelt leukism. Unlike albinism, it can cause a reduction in multiple types of pigment, not just melanin.

Leucism is a general term for the phenotype that results from defects in pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest to skin, hair, or feathers during development. This results in either the entire surface (if all pigment cells fail to develop) or patches of body surface (if only a subset are defective) having a lack of cells that can make pigment.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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12 Comments

Deborah Koreneff

Vitiligo is a disease that causes loss of pigmentation in an already pigmented skin. In leucism the pigment cells do not develop before birth.

Merri Sillery

Thumbs down and reported for two correct answers.

Alec Boreham

If Leucism is the correct answer, what's the definition of Vitiligo???

rkcorrigan

I agree with all the dissenters below. The question is misleading and it appears that two answers are correct, both vitiligo and leucism.

Blairly21

I say the answer is Vitiligo.

Merri Sillery

teresab, if they would have done that, they would have known that vitiligo is also correct.

Louise C.

Darlene Davidson, Like you, I was sure that vitiligo was the answer.

earlepg

teresab, Easy enough to check for ourselves, however there was plenty of room for adding a sentence describing the other conditions.

Julie Allen

teresab, Easy enough to look them up yourself if you are interested. Not everyone is interested in seeing te same information.

Julie Allen

Darlene Davidson, I think so - Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses its pigment cells (melanocytes). This can result in discolored patches in different areas of the body, including the skin, hair and mucous membranes. Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches.