The gene has previously been linked to albinism in mice, horses, chickens and a species of fish. One symbol of the zoo that is still well-known today is the worlds only known albino gorilla Floquet de Neu (Snow Maiden), who delighted enthusiastic. Snowflake inherited a mutant form of this gene from both of his parents. Comparing that sequence with those of humans and nonalbino gorillas, Marques-Bonet and his colleagues narrowed down the cause of Snowflake's albinism to a single gene, known as SLC45A2. Using frozen blood from Snowflake, researchers led by Tomas Marques-Bonet of the Institut de Biologia Evolutiva at the University of Pompeu Fabra sequenced the entire genome of the late ape. People with albinism are at high risk for vision problems and skin cancers because of this missing pigment. It was inbreeding that led to the albino gorilla. From 1966 until his death, he was kept at the Barcelona Zoo in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. In humans, four genetic mutations are known to cause albinism, a syndrome marked by a lack of skin, eye and hair pigment. (Last Updated On: May 28, 2023) Snowflake (1964 2003) was an albino western lowland gorilla. Now, Spanish researchers have sequenced the gorilla's entire genome, revealing that Snowflake was probably the offspring of a pairing between an uncle and a niece. Their lack of pigmentation is caused by a recessive gene not producing melanin. Found mainly in Africa, they fascinate scientists and wildlife enthusiasts. They have a unique genetic mutation causing their pale appearance. Albino gorillas are a rare and intriguing species. As the only known white gorilla in the world, Snowflake was a zoo celebrity until his death of skin cancer in 2003.Ī few studies had attempted to get to the bottom of what caused Snowflake's color-free complexion, but the exact genetic mutation had never been found. Background information on albino gorillas. He was born in the wild and captured in 1966 by villagers in Equatorial Guinea. Snowflake was a male Western lowland gorilla. A famous albino gorilla that lived for 40 years at the Barcelona Zoo got its white coloring by way of inbreeding, new research shows.
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