this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2024
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[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Do you think there's a time and place where albinism has an advantage as well?

It's a genetic defect.

Also, evolution isn't about things being advantageous, it's about things being hereditary and not killing you before you've got babies so even if a blue lobster was something that was passed along from one generation to the next, it doesn't necessarily mean it's advantageous to the lobster, it only means that it doesn't prevent them from reproducing. We just tend to notice the genetics advantages without thinking about all the ways the animal isn't adapted to its situation.

[–] Num10ck@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

i thought albinism was good for ice ages?

[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

What's funny is that in fact it's a disadvantage in snowy/icy situations because it has other effects outside of the skin/hair thing and albinism actually impairs vision in very bright situations (like when the sun reflects on snow)

[–] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

Snow is also highly reflective of UV rays, and albinos are at higher risk for sunburn and melanoma.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/albinism/#:~:text=Because%20people%20with%20albinism%20lack,will%20provide%20the%20best%20protection.