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Photo#884317
Albino Oniscus - Oniscus asellus

Albino Oniscus - Oniscus asellus
Sherwood, Washington County, Oregon, USA
January 15, 2014
Size: 12 mm
The word albino generates few search results on Bugguide and I assume there is a good reason for that. I've read debates about the term on other forums, but retained little of it. The animal in these photos is very atypically pale. What is the best way to describe this? Amelanistic, leucistic, albino? I have encountered thousands and thousands of Oniscus and this is the first one like this I've personally ever seen. I've got video of a normal coloration individual molting on Youtube. I'm not sure it is okay to share links here, but it illustrates the point for future viewers of these photos that even molting or freshly molted isopods are not this pale. Moderators, please feel free to delete if necessary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCkeFVEqhDs

Images of this individual: tag all
Albino Oniscus - Oniscus asellus Albino Oniscus - Oniscus asellus Albino Oniscus - Oniscus asellus

Excellent photo of an unusual animal
It certainly looks amelanistic (albino). If it were leucistic, the eyes would likely retain some pigment. Did you by any chance keep this animal? Or have you seen others like it?

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