First record of leucism in Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis from Ibex Reserve Protected Area, Saudi Arabia

Authors

  • Zaffar R. Mir National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3550-6250
  • Naif Alajmi National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia.
  • Ali Alahmari National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia.
  • Ahmad Alobaid National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia.
  • Khalid Almaliki National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia.
  • Faraz Niaz National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2712-6946
  • Naif Alqahtani National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5691-8754
  • Ahmad Boug National Centre for Wildlife, P.O. Box 4508, Makkah Mukarramah Road, Riyadh 12411, Saudi Arabia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10190.18.4.28719-28723

Keywords:

Genetic variation, Hyracoidea, Mammalia, phenotypic anomaly, pigmentation anomaly, Procaviidae, wildlife monitoring

Abstract

Pigment anomalies such as leucism and albinism are rare in wild mammals, often linked to genetic or developmental factors and sometimes carry ecological consequences. Here, we report the first record of leucism in the Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis from Saudi Arabia. The observation was made during routine monitoring in the Ibex Reserve Protected Area on 17 May 2025. The individual, an adult with pale pelage and normal dark eyes, was classified as leucistic. Given the healthy and non-fragmented hyrax population in the reserve, this case is likely an isolated anomaly rather than evidence of inbreeding or population-level genetic issues. This record extends the taxonomic and geographic range of leucism to P. capensis in central Saudi Arabia and underscores the importance of continued monitoring and systematic documentation of aberrant colour morphs in wildlife.

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Published

26-04-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2026)

Section

Short Communications

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Copyright (c) 2026 Zaffar R. Mir, Naif Alajmi, Ali Alahmari, Ahmad Alobaid, Khalid Almaliki, Faraz Niaz, Naif Alqahtani, Ahmad Boug

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