1. having an unusually high amount of dark pigmentation, especially melanin
Usage: biology; zoology

Examples

• The melanistic jaguar appeared completely black in the dim forest light.
• Melanistic squirrels are more common in urban areas than in rural forests.
• The researcher studied melanistic variations in local bird populations.
• A melanistic leopard is often called a black panther.
• The melanistic form of the peppered moth became more prevalent during industrial pollution.
• Scientists documented several melanistic individuals in the snake population.