is the common name for a black (melanistic) color variant of any of several species of cat. Zoologically speaking, the term panther is synonymous with "large cat". The genus name Panthera is a taxonomic category that includes several species of felids including the lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar. However, in North America, the term panther is commonly used for the cougar (genus Puma) while in Latin America it is most often used to mean a jaguar. Elsewhere in the world it refers to the leopard.

Confusion may arise from the distinction between the genus Panthera and the genus Leopardus. Originally, the relatively long-tailed species were called panthers (genus Panthera, which includes the leopard) and others were called leopards (genus Leopardus, which, perhaps confusingly, does not include the leopard.) It is a common misconception that panther necessarily refers to a melanistic individual. In fact, a panther may be spotted, (such as the spotted jaguar or spotted leopard,) tawny, (such as the puma or cougar,) white, or black.

Melanism is most common in the jaguar (Panthera onca), where it is carried by a dominant allele, and the leopard (Panthera pardus), where it is due to a recessive allele. Close examination of one of these black cats will show that the typical markings are still there but are hidden by the excess black pigment melanin. Melanistic and non-melanistic individuals can be litter mates. In those species that hunt mainly at night, the condition is not detrimental. Albino or leucistic individuals of the same three species are known as white panthers..

It is thought that melanism may confer a selective advantage under certain conditions since it is more common in regions of dense forest, where light levels are lower. Recent, preliminary studies also suggest that melanism might be linked to beneficial mutations in the immune system. [1]
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