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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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DAO 120:245-250 (2016)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03029

NOTE
Cutaneous malignant melanoma in a Haller’s round ray Urobatis halleri

Melissa R. Nau1,2,4,*, David W. Gardiner3, Erika Nilson2, Todd L. Schmitt2, Hendrik H. Nollens2, Judy St. Leger2

1National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California 92106, USA
2SeaWorld of California, San Diego, California 92109, USA
3Animal Reference Pathology Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124, USA
4Present address: Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center, 1800 Denison Ave, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Multiple black raised nodular masses were noted on the dorsal surface of an adult male Haller’s round ray Urobatis halleri. Biopsy of 2 masses was performed, and histopathology revealed proliferative sheets of melanocytes exhibiting mild anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, supporting a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Approximately 2 mo following the biopsy procedure, the round ray became acutely anorexic and was found dead in its enclosure. A full necropsy was performed, and tissues were submitted for histopathology. The black raised nodular masses again exhibited histologic features of a melanoma. In addition to the nodular masses present, multiple flat areas of increased pigmentation were also present throughout the course of the case and were not suggestive of neoplasia histologically. The transformation of benign to malignant neoplasia has been well described in other species and may have played a role in the development of multiple tumors in this case.


KEY WORDS: Urobatis halleri · Haller’s round ray · Elasmobranch · Neoplasia · Melanoma


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Cite this article as: Nau MR, Gardiner DW, Nilson E, Schmitt TL, Nollens HH, St. Leger J (2016) Cutaneous malignant melanoma in a Haller’s round ray Urobatis halleri. Dis Aquat Org 120:245-250. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03029

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