What is another word for melanism?

Pronunciation: [mˈɛlɐnˌɪzəm] (IPA)

Melanism, the opposite of albinism, refers to the increased development of dark-colored pigmentation in animal skin or fur. There are several synonyms for melanism, including hypermelanosis, melanotic, and excessive pigmentation. Other related terms include dark morph, which describes a variety of organisms that exhibit black or dark coloring, and melanistic, which refers to the state of being melanized. Melanism can be found in a variety of organisms, from jaguars and panthers to insects and birds. It is an important adaptation that can provide animals with camouflaging advantages in their respective environments, as well as help to regulate body temperature.

Synonyms for Melanism:

What are the hypernyms for Melanism?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.
  • Other hypernyms:

    genetic mutation, Color variation, Darkening of pigmentation, Pigment anomaly, evolutionary trait.

What are the hyponyms for Melanism?

Hyponyms are more specific words categorized under a broader term, known as a hypernym.

Usage examples for Melanism

Eventually I heard of the phenomenon of melanism in animals, less rare in snakes perhaps than in animals of other classes, and I was satisfied that the problem was partly solved.
"Far Away and Long Ago"
W. H. Hudson
melanism, the opposite of albinism, is rarer, and the only instance I have seen was that of a black bullfinch at Aldington; it had evidently been mobbed as a stranger by other birds of its kind, as it was injured and nearly dead when captured.
"Grain and Chaff from an English Manor"
Arthur H. Savory

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