melanic

Melanic is an adjective used to describe organisms that are darker in coloration due to an increased amount of melanin, the pigment produced by specialized skin cells called melanocytes. Melanic individuals display melanism, a form of pigmentation variation that can be genetic or, in some cases, environmentally influenced. The term comes from Greek melas, meaning black, and the common suffix -ic.

Melanism occurs across many animal groups, including insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. It can enhance camouflage in dark habitats, affect heat absorption, or influence social signaling, depending on the species and environment. In many cases, melanism is heritable and subject to natural selection.

One well-documented example is industrial melanism in the peppered moth (Biston betularia), where the frequency of dark forms rose in polluted areas and declined after air quality improvements. In other mammals, melanistic individuals appear in jaguars and leopards (often called black panthers); in reptiles and snakes, melanism is also reported.

In humans, melanin determines the range of skin, hair, and eye colors. The descriptor melanic is used in dermatology and anthropology to refer to darker pigmentation, while conditions such as albinism involve reduced or absent melanin production. The study of melanic variation helps understand adaptation, evolution, and the genetics of pigmentation.