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The first case of a metastasizing hlstologically malignant tumor with fatal outcome in a harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena is described. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors in domestic animals, thls neoplasm represents a well differentiated scirrhous tubular adenocarcinoma of the stomach, metastasizing by way of veins, lymphatics and by implantation in the peritonea1 cavity, uterus, lymph nodes, and liver The possible significance of environmental carcinogenic agents being implicated in the induction of this neoplasm -in contrast to fish -can only be suggested in this first case of a malignant tumor in a North Sea harbor porpoise.

Pathologic-histologic and immunocytologic as well as serologic findings from a total number of 50 recently dead or euthanatized moribund harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are described. In 14 of 31 histologically examined brains of affected seals alterations corresponding to canine distemper encephalitis (CDE) were found. Immunofluorescence-serologic tests using polyclonal as well as monoclonal antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV) resulted in positive findings in organ sections of 24 dead seals. An agent was isolated from organs of dead seals and subjected to several passages in vero cell cultures as well as in primary seal lung-cell cultures. The agent was able to be identified as canine distemper-like virus with both antibodies.CDV neutralising serum-antibodies were detected in 13 out of 19 serum specimens. Further interdisciplinary investigations are required to determine whether the virus induced alterationsstill to be interpretated only in a purely qualitative senseshould be considered as the manifestation of contributing ecological factors, or as the primary cause of the still present deaths of harbor seals.

Investigations on deaths of harbour seals in the Wadden Sea around Sylt in 1988: Significance of the marked lungworminfestation with hypersensitivity reactionIt is reported on the clinical, pathologic-anatomical, histological and parasitological observations on 8 harbour seals necropsied. A massive parasitic infestation with a general hypersensitivity reaction was seen, the possible significance of which as to the current deaths of harbour seals is discussed. EinleitungDie Ursachen des seit dem 12. April 1988 erstmals in Danemark (AGGERS, 1988) und im AnschluB daran auch im deutschen (HEIDEMANN, 1988) sowie niederlandischen (REIJN-DERS, 1988) Wattenmeer geschilderten Sterbens von Seehunden (Phoca vitulina) sind noch ungeklart. Unter den moglichen Primarursachen werden derzeit verschiedene virale Infektionen diskutiert. OSTERHAUS (1988) wies einen neuen Serotyp des Picornavirus beim Seehund nach, den er fur die aufgetretenen letalen akuten Pneumonien als verantwortlich bezeichnet. MAYR (1988) hingegen gelang der Nachweis eines enteralen Coronavirus mittels Rinder-ELISA, er wertet dies jedoch als einen nosologisch unbedeutenden Befund. Eine zusammenfassende Literaturdarstellung iiber Erkrankungen und mogliche Todesursachen bei Robben hat KOBERC (1985) gegeben. U.S. Copyright Clearance Center C o d e Sraremmt: 093 1 -1793/88/3506-0467$02.50/0