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Albinism in the Galapagos Shark, Carcharhinus Galapagensis (Snodgrass & Heller, 1905) at Malpelo Island, Colombia

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Abstract

An individual specimen of Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) was observed in the waters surrounding Malpelo Island, Colombia, on the 9th of July 2016 and the 13th of June 2019, which was identified by direct observation, photos, and videos obtained during scuba diving. The individual was approximately 2 m in total length and presented white coloration throughout its body (back and belly). Due to the extent and uniformity of the unusual coloration, the individual could be considered an albino. This record constitutes the first verified report of albinism for this species.

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Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Colombia Dive Adventures and the tourism boat operators at Malpelo Island for allowing us to accompany them on their diving days, National Natural Parks of Colombia for their permission and support to enter the protected area, Fundación Alium Pacific, the anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions, and Daniel Edgar for editing the English version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fundación Alium Pacific, Carrera 26 No. 5C–13, Santiago de Cali, Colombia

    Colombo Estupiñán-Montaño

  2. Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Malpelo, Santiago de Cali, Colombia

    Paola M. Sánchez-Gómez

  3. Colombia Dive Adventures, Santa Marta, Colombia

    Jaime O. López-Montoya

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  1. Colombo Estupiñán-Montaño
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Contributions

C.E.M. wrote the main manuscript text. C.E.M., P.M.S.G. prepared figures, and J.O.L.M. shared the video. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Colombo Estupiñán-Montaño.

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Estupiñán-Montaño, C., Sánchez-Gómez, P.M. & López-Montoya, J.O. Albinism in the Galapagos Shark, Carcharhinus Galapagensis (Snodgrass & Heller, 1905) at Malpelo Island, Colombia. Thalassas 40, 59–64 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-023-00616-8

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