First record of a Tamandua tetradactyla with a chromatic anomaly in a periurban wetland, Mburucuyá, Corrientes, Argentina

Mammalian coloration has key biological functions such as camouflage and communication. Chromatic anomalies are rare genetic conditions which are increasingly reported in wild mammals due to advances in camera-trap technology and citizen science. We report the first documented case of albinism in Tamandua tetradactyla in Argentina, recorded in Mburucuyá, Corrientes Province. This represents the fourth such record in South America, including Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay. The individual was photographed by a local citizen in a periurban area. Despite potential disadvantages of albinism, such as increased vulnerability to predation and radiation, previous cases suggest that the nocturnal and cryptic behavior of T. tetradactyla may mitigate these effects. This finding enriches knowledge of chromatic variation within Xenarthra and highlights the importance of community engagement in biodiversity monitoring. Future studies will improve understanding the population dynamics and conservation status of T. tetradactyla in northeastern Argentina.