Xanthochromism

Xanthismus (gr. " xanthos " = yellow, adj xanthoristisch, rarely xanthi table ) describes animals that have a yellow or red color due to melanin deficiency. It is a form of albinism, which caused by the existing in Xantophoren and carotenes, and pteridines yellow or red color remains unaffected, while the melanophores caused by black or brown color of melanin is absent.

As in mammals carotenes and pteridines play no role in the formation of colors, Xanthismus in this sense is not possible for them. Only fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds can develop Xanthismus.

In humans, earlier forms of incomplete albinism, which today ROCA (red Oculocutaner albinism ) or oculocutaneous albinism was type 3 ( OCA 3) are called, also referred to as Xanthismus.