0 having very dark skin or hair because it contains a higher than normal level of the pigment (= substance that gives colour) known as melanin:
Apparently there was a melanistic strain among them.
Solid black melanistic examples are also known, as well as cases where the back blotches join with those on the sides.
In addition, melanistic servals are quite common in some parts of the range, giving a similar appearance to the black panther (melanistic leopard).
In this mutation, the adult male is melanistic with black wings.
This species is one of the ancestors of the black mollies, a number of melanistic breeds which are black all over.
It may have a melanistic mask, which is most often black.
However, contemporary taxonomy considers them simply a melanistic morph.
In addition, various color mutations are commonly encountered, mainly melanistic (black) and flavistic (isabelline or fawn) specimens.
