There are millions of species of animals in the world. It is often possible to see individuals of each of these species born with characteristics different from the norm. One example is zebras, which alone raise questions about their stripes. But what about the spotted zebra, have you seen it?
Read also
-
It’s the animal!
What to avoid at home to avoid finding spiders, scorpions and snakes
-
It’s the animal!
Street owners: discover the city that is home to more than 250,000 cats
-
It’s the animal!
Understanding Hobby Dogging: the practice of walking invisible dogs
-
It’s the animal!
A woman discovers a mysterious animal in her dog’s hair; watch
Yes, it exists! In Kenya, in the plains of the Masai Mara reserve, this animal stands out for its more authentic style, very different from others of the same species. She was nicknamed Tira and her entire body is covered in small white dots on her dark brown fur.
Click here to follow the Metropoles Vida&Estilo channel on WhatsApp
Polka dots are better than stripes
This distinctive appearance is the result of a genetic mutation called pseudomelanism. This disease changes the way melanin – the pigment responsible for skin and hair color in mammals – is distributed.
Zebras are not the only ones affected by this genetic disease.
According to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), zebras’ symmetrical stripes are created from melanocyte cells. For Tira, the process did not occur in the same way during embryonic development, resulting in a different coat pattern.
“Melanocytes are present in the skin of spotted zebras, but melanin is not distributed normally, creating this completely atypical pattern,” said Greg Barsh, a geneticist at the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology in the United States. Researchers also say that the coat is unique to each individual and functions like a fingerprint.
Tira’s life
According to information from National Geographic, the record was achieved in 2019 by photographer Frank Liu. He was in the Masai Mara looking for rhinos when he saw the beautiful and elegant zebra. “At first glance, it looked like a completely different species,” Frank explained.
The pattern not only influences the zebra’s appearance, but also its survival
Tira is named after Antony Tira, who was the reserve guide who first saw it. Unfortunately, his life is not safe. According to Ren Larison, a biologist and expert on zebra evolution, animals with different patterns are less likely to survive.
Additionally, Ren said the contrast of stripes is a factor in deflecting predators and avoiding insect bites. In other words, Tira is more vulnerable to diseases such as equine influenza, transmitted by flies, and is more likely to be preyed upon, as other animals tend to seek out those who are different.
About The Author
