PubHawk
June 2013 PMID 23251368

How the leopard hides its spots: ASIP mutations and melanism in wild cats.

Alexsandra Schneider, Victor A David, Warren E Johnson, Stephen J O'Brien, Gregory S Barsh, Marilyn Menotti-Raymond, Eduardo Eizirik

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Mentions

65
Peak: 36 in Oct 2020
across 5 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

1,029,582
potential audience

Total likes

17,514

Video views

741,785

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter46 posts
  • News10 articles
  • Facebook4 posts
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone and word choices, such as discussing specific mutations like 'C111stop' and their effects, reveal a keen curiosity about genetic processes and evolutionary adaptations in wild cats. The frequent references to transforming animals into 'goth' or 'spooky' animals serve to make the scientific concepts more engaging and relatable to a broader audience, emphasizing both the fascination and importance of these genetic findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the genetic mechanisms behind melanism and agree that mutations like those in the ASIP gene are significant, showing general consensus on the research findings.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions demonstrate high interest, with many posts referencing gene mutations, the transformation into 'black panthers,' and the broader implications of melanism in wild cats.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts vary from sharing factual information about genetic mutations to offering opinions and additional facts, indicating a moderate level of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight that understanding genetic mutations significantly impacts our knowledge of evolution and animal coloration, though mainly within scientific and enthusiastic circles.

Abstract in brief

  • Melanism, the darkening of coat color, has independently evolved in 13 wild cat species, including the leopard, with some populations showing very high frequencies of this trait.
  • Researchers sequenced the ASIP gene in leopards and Asian golden cats and found specific mutations linked to melanism, such as a nonsense mutation in leopards that disrupts gene function.
  • These findings suggest that mutations in the ASIP gene are significant contributors to natural color variations like melanism in wild cats, highlighting the role of genetic changes in their evolutionary adaptations.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! https://t.co/J9LxOLRrlg https://t.co/ZVTPueku9j

Oct 5, 2020 · 38 likes · 10 shares · 115,766 followers View post →
Mastocafé
@mastocafe · X

Referências: Mooring MS. doi:10.1177/1940082920910364 Schneider A. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050386. Eizirik,E. Doi: https://t.co/wnsYOEDFgS Andrew B.S. Doi: https://t.co/rurVnSlZdn Stein, A.B. Doi: https://t.co/4VdkQmBT6F https://t.co/TnSOsilafy https://t.co/NohzvBHOIs https://t.co/5IrF9eqXVw

Sep 8, 2023 · 14 likes · 3,289 followers View post →
Elinor Karlsson (elinork.bsky.social)
@eenork · X

Could Jaguar lose its spots? Closely related Leopard transformed into iconic "black panther" possibly by changing 1 base out of 2.4 billion: introduces stop codon in ASIP gene > tructates protein > melanism (darkening of background coloration). #2022MMM https://t.co/MpzDaAJW36 https://t.co/CgUbpjDpqX

Mar 28, 2022 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 2,752 followers View post →
Dr. Jose R. Castello
@doctor_castello · X

@Victagua @DrBioblogo @BIOEAF @Ipathia_ @Biologus_agri @Letirroja @Hjorvik @FerTheman @Drazzic_00 @Rec_e_IlusBlog Y este otro: https://t.co/De5ID6B0zO

Oct 2, 2020 · 5 likes · 5,705 followers View post →
Dr. BioBlogo
@DrBioblogo · X

@ElConjuntoVacio @Letirroja @Hjorvik @Ipathia_ @FancyScientist Aquí había algo de info, si mal no recuerdo: https://t.co/OkcDcxd63N

Jan 23, 2020 · 4 likes · 67,213 followers View post →
Víctor G Tagua
@Victagua · X

⚫️El melanismo se da en 14 especies de felinos y tiene distinto origen genético Los leopardos tienen mutado el gen ASIP haciendo que la proteína acabe de forma prematura. La mutación es C111stop (la cisteína de la posición 111 muta a un codón de parada) https://t.co/Iyf1higOfG https://t.co/sGASiKsOU3

Apr 29, 2020 · 4 likes · 4,571 followers View post →

All mentions

Itris Budi Rahayu
@deitris0411 · X

https://t.co/j2T5Rxf1MQ

Jul 20, 2025 · 2 followers View post →
Mastocafé
@mastocafe · X

Referências: Mooring MS. doi:10.1177/1940082920910364 Schneider A. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050386. Eizirik,E. Doi: https://t.co/wnsYOEDFgS Andrew B.S. Doi: https://t.co/rurVnSlZdn Stein, A.B. Doi: https://t.co/4VdkQmBT6F https://t.co/TnSOsilafy https://t.co/NohzvBHOIs https://t.co/5IrF9eqXVw

Sep 8, 2023 · 14 likes · 3,289 followers View post →
Santiago
@Noctilio82 · X

RT @eenork: Could Jaguar lose its spots? Closely related Leopard transformed into iconic "black panther" possibly by changing 1 base out of…

Mar 28, 2022 · 2 shares · 795 followers View post →
March Mammal Madness
@MMMletsgo · X

RT @eenork: Could Jaguar lose its spots? Closely related Leopard transformed into iconic "black panther" possibly by changing 1 base out of…

Mar 28, 2022 · 2 shares · 31,210 followers View post →
Elinor Karlsson (elinork.bsky.social)
@eenork · X

Could Jaguar lose its spots? Closely related Leopard transformed into iconic "black panther" possibly by changing 1 base out of 2.4 billion: introduces stop codon in ASIP gene > tructates protein > melanism (darkening of background coloration). #2022MMM https://t.co/MpzDaAJW36 https://t.co/CgUbpjDpqX

Mar 28, 2022 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 2,752 followers View post →
Tynan - Aspiring Research Scientist
@ScienceTynan · X

Video by @Scishow: 6 Delightfully Goth Animals: "When you see a black cat, you might think of witches and goth bands, but they're also a great example of a melanistic animal, and they're not the only ones!" https://t.co/pR4mNyR7Yt #Zoology #Goth #Biology #Animals

Jun 5, 2021 · 2,379 followers View post →
Elise Larsson
@EliseLarsson · X

6 Delightfully #Goth Animals https://t.co/QY90N1CUxF via @YouTube

Nov 8, 2020 · 1 like · 241 followers View post →
Jenny Bookwalter
@jenlouwahoo · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/gimAUsGvRq via @YouTube

Oct 26, 2020 · 25 followers View post →
Green Squad Leader
@Green_Squad_Ldr · X

@jamie_elizabeth thought you might appreciate this. https://t.co/sfaxVDPmVT

Oct 11, 2020 · 11 followers View post →
ElfyBean
@ElfyBean · X

@spidergweb A recent episode~ https://t.co/ernfn9D5ed

Oct 7, 2020 · 1 like · 380 followers View post →
Crap Zap (Sabrina)
@CrapZap · X

Liked on YouTube: 6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/uKYEmAhyyJ

Oct 7, 2020 · 290 followers View post →
CrowFangs
@CrowFangs · X

RT @blindcoyoteart: This video is pretty neat! https://t.co/IV24yNIok3

Oct 7, 2020 · 1 share · 3,874 followers View post →
BlindCoyote ➡ FWA
@blindcoyoteart · X

This video is pretty neat! https://t.co/IV24yNIok3

Oct 7, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 18,601 followers View post →
Angela |
@zolacnomiko · X

@TLBLibrarian @SciShow SciShow will tell you! Time stamp 9:06 for the Ayam Cemani https://t.co/zFR5dq2AKG

Oct 6, 2020 · 1 like · 306 followers View post →
Nat
@natieannexo · X

RT @SciShow: Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! http…

Oct 6, 2020 · 10 shares · 119 followers View post →
fueled by cold hospital coffee
@Dust_flow · X

Ok but really vibe with that grasshopper https://t.co/yrdABQJ9yC

Oct 6, 2020 · 107 followers View post →
H Wizell
@HWizell · X

@SouthPark Randy and the Goth Kids open a diner The menu consists of edibles and GOTH Chicken. You're welcome https://t.co/nR6hU3lzXL

Oct 5, 2020 · 294 followers View post →
Skywise
@Skywise001 · X

@JBLNT1 I thought you would find this cool :) https://t.co/CzYI49aJoI

Oct 5, 2020 · 7,626 followers View post →
Duma Ndugu
@DumaNdugu · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/OMUAdKUYLt

Oct 5, 2020 · 136 followers View post →
Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
@IowaAgLiteracy · X

Black cat? Or black chicken! Check out these goth animals: https://t.co/8zEFk0rdfY

Oct 5, 2020 · 2,180 followers View post →
虎猫
@ToraNeko82 · X

RT @SciShow: Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! http…

Oct 5, 2020 · 10 shares · 101 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! http…

Oct 5, 2020 · 10 shares · 277 followers View post →
Lis Kenobi
@TheHuginsdottir · X

RT @SciShow: Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! http…

Oct 5, 2020 · 10 shares · 693 followers View post →
Ivy Tara Blair | audiobooks | sound engineer
@ivytarablair · X

RT @SciShow: Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! http…

Oct 5, 2020 · 10 shares · 423 followers View post →
Meatloaf Impersonator
@BuddyCBuddy · X

RT @SciShow: Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! http…

Oct 5, 2020 · 10 shares · 558 followers View post →
Тэ дрэвэт утвикλэрэн
@TeaDrivenDev · X

RT @SciShow: Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! http…

Oct 5, 2020 · 10 shares · 934 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Black cats aren't the only animals that have spooky goth vibes, there's other melanistic animals who share their style! https://t.co/J9LxOLRrlg https://t.co/ZVTPueku9j

Oct 5, 2020 · 38 likes · 10 shares · 115,766 followers View post →
Ananya Sahoo
@AKSMANIA · X

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Oct 5, 2020 · 99 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/WbmuPDqAg1 via @YouTube

Oct 5, 2020 · 2,561 followers View post →
ekokepe
@ekokepe · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/DNsIWiqGdv via @YouTube

Oct 5, 2020 · 359 followers View post →
iscab.saptocondro
@saptocondro · X

Blacked Raw, https://t.co/kZSsycxVlA Goth Animals https://t.co/IB89PpHVfB

Oct 5, 2020 · 569 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/Ys0pg0jjYM via @YouTube

Oct 5, 2020 · 1 like · 3,226 followers View post →
Luca
@SorrisoCattivo · X

Oct 5, 2020 · 142 followers View post →
Cecile Braconnier
@braco001 · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/mtmuI31DwG via @YouTube

Oct 5, 2020 · 742 followers View post →
leonmsampaio.bsky.social
@leonmsampaio · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/y7pSsGg0cS

Oct 5, 2020 · 243 followers View post →
CarlosBattousai | Degen Twitch Streamer
@CarlosBattousai · X

@trashtastica so goth! https://t.co/eP0cmXGHCQ

Oct 5, 2020 · 1 like · 524 followers View post →
Emma Evans
@MelanieMoore · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/Y0nt7jlA3c via @YouTube

Oct 4, 2020 · 6,965 followers View post →
e-csce
@e_csce · X

6 Delightfully Goth Animals @ https://t.co/MuKcjljCwi https://t.co/kX6lHusAFH

Oct 4, 2020 · 118 followers View post →
Vegeta8300
@Vegeta8300 · X

https://t.co/ifoiEEqq6z @BeholdMunro Thoughts? :P

Oct 4, 2020 · 1 like · 214 followers View post →
Calder @ Ferris Wheel Boneyard
@calder87 · X

in which cat species are genetically predisposed to be goth https://t.co/VimO8imhLt @vampirecoffee

Oct 4, 2020 · 2 likes · 129 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: 6 Delightfully Goth Animals https://t.co/ZUyWxqKKsI

Oct 4, 2020 · 83 followers View post →
Dr. Jose R. Castello
@doctor_castello · X

@Victagua @DrBioblogo @BIOEAF @Ipathia_ @Biologus_agri @Letirroja @Hjorvik @FerTheman @Drazzic_00 @Rec_e_IlusBlog Y este otro: https://t.co/De5ID6B0zO

Oct 2, 2020 · 5 likes · 5,705 followers View post →
Víctor G Tagua
@Victagua · X

⚫️El melanismo se da en 14 especies de felinos y tiene distinto origen genético Los leopardos tienen mutado el gen ASIP haciendo que la proteína acabe de forma prematura. La mutación es C111stop (la cisteína de la posición 111 muta a un codón de parada) https://t.co/Iyf1higOfG https://t.co/sGASiKsOU3

Apr 29, 2020 · 4 likes · 4,571 followers View post →
Dr. BioBlogo
@DrBioblogo · X

@ElConjuntoVacio @Letirroja @Hjorvik @Ipathia_ @FancyScientist Aquí había algo de info, si mal no recuerdo: https://t.co/OkcDcxd63N

Jan 23, 2020 · 4 likes · 67,213 followers View post →
SpaceAix Teacher
@DnaCowgirl · X

RT @ArthurSorlin: @dridk https://t.co/t9rbmV8RPq

Jan 31, 2019 · 1 share · 593 followers View post →
Arthur Sorlin
@ArthurSorlin · X

@dridk https://t.co/t9rbmV8RPq

Jan 31, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 193 followers View post →