Research overview: the genetics of melanism in jaguars

Black jaguars, often called black panthers, occur naturally within jaguar populations and result from a dominant mutation in the melanocortin-1 receptor gene, distinct from the recessive melanism of the leopard. This overview surveys the molecular characterization of jaguar melanism, its inheritance pattern, and its geographic distribution, which tends to be higher in dense forest. It discusses hypotheses for why dark morphs persist, including camouflage and possible physiological benefits, the visibility of rosette ghost markings beneath the black pigment, and how jaguar melanism fits the broader picture of independently evolved black coats across the cat family driven by different pigmentation genes.