Case series: Lymphoid neoplasia in three elasmobranch species

Abstract

Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are charismatic cartilaginous fish, popular in public aquaria. Almost 200 shark and ray species are listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), demonstrating the importance of captive breeding and research programmes. Limited studies investigate diseases of elasmobranchs in captive and free‐living environments, and among available literature neoplasia is rarely reported, with even fewer cases of lymphoid neoplasia documented. This article outlines the first reports of lymphoid neoplasia in three elasmobranch species in which haematopoietic neoplasms have not been reported to date. It summarizes signalment, history and histopathologic findings in an undulate ray, Raja undulata (Lacepede), a common smooth‐hound, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus) and a bat ray, Myliobatis californica (Gill). Lesions were confirmed in a wide range of tissues and evidence of lymphoid leukaemia was seen in two cases. This small‐scale review demonstrates that lymphoid neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis in elasmobranchs presenting with lethargy and anorexia and highlights the challenges of immunohistochemical work up.