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The Felidae family, represented by 37 species, exhibits a variety of patterns on their fur: smooth coat, rosettes, streaks or spots. In this work, different aspects of the evolution, function and variations in pigmentation coat patterns of the felines are discussed. The most accepted theory of the coloration of their fur assumes that the ancestral pattern is a spotted coat. Currently, these are distributed in 22 species with blotchy, two with horizontal stripes, two vertical stripes and six have a uniform color. Also present atypical colorations as the melanism (melanin excess) characterized by a dark fur-beneficial character-, and the albinism and leucism (melanin deficiency) which present a white coat color-harmful character-. These variations that exist in color and coat patterns are stimulated by the diversity of habitat and behavior, having an important role in communication, camouflage and physiological functions of felines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Melanism in fish is rare; it is expressed in a greater number of limnetic species rather than marine. The capture of a Cheilodactylus variegatus female specimen with full melanosis is reported. The individual was captured with harpoon by apnea diving, in the Caleta Piedra Azul, northern Chile. Its standard length was 33.6 cm and a total weight of 960 g. There is no morphological difference if compared with normal color specimens. The general coloration of the body is dark gray, with slightly lighter vertical stripes on the flank. No fins show the orange hue characteristic of the species. The validity of trematode infection effect as a causal agent of melanosis is discussed, because it is a mutation in the melanocortin receptor (MC1R). The melanosis condition in Ch. variegatus, is very rare. It is the first time that this phenomenon is reported for this species, where the expression of a dark color, would be beneficial to specimens who reside on bottoms with little vegetation and among crevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]