Paul Hobson / Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) melanic form, on turning leaf. Sheffield, October.

Jane Burton / Angelfish {Pterophyllum scalare} melanic veiltail 'black lace' variety, captive, from rivers of Amazon basin, South america

Kim Taylor / Peppered moth {Biston betularia} normal and melanic forms on birch trunk. UK.

Tony Phelps / Adder {Vipera berus} melanic / black form female with normal morph young. Dorset, UK

Steven Kazlowski / Grey wolf (Canis lupus) female with a black coat in the foothills of the Takshanuk mountains, South-East Alaska, USA

Paul Hobson / Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) melanic form, on turning leaf. Sheffield, October.

Paul Hobson / Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) larva, melanic form. Sheffield, UK, August.

Jane Burton / Angelfish {Pterophyllum scalare} dark melanic variety, captive, from rivers of Amazon basin, South america

Tony Phelps / Adder {Vipera berus} melanic female, New Forest, Hampshire, UK

Tony Phelps / Adder {Vipera berus} black melanic male defensive posture, Dorset, UK

Tony Phelps / Adder {Vipera berus} black melanic female giving birth to normal coloured young, New Forest, Hampshire, UK

Tony Phelps / Adder melanic / black female {Vipera berus} New Forest, Hampshire, UK

Tony Phelps / Adder males fighting, melanic / black and normal colours {Vipera berus} Dorset, UK

Kim Taylor / Peppered moth {Biston betularia} normal and melanic colour morphs on birch trunk, UK.

Bristol City Museum / Peppered moth {Biston betularia} specimens: melanic dark form is better camouflaged in urban areas and has been dominant in UK but as air quality has improved over past decades, the lighter form is ma...

Chris Shields / Illustration of Two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) (sexpustulata), melanic form.

Chris Shields / Illustration of Two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata), melanic form.

Eric Baccega / Head portrait of female Jaguar (Panthera onca) black melanic form, captive.