First Osteosarcoma Reported from a New World Elapid Snake and Review of Reptilian Bony Tumors

Abstract

13Cancer chiefly occurs in vertebrates. Rare in amphibians, and perhaps common in 14 reptiles, various neoplasms and malignant cancers have been reported with erratic frequency by 15 museums, paleontologists, veterinarians, and pet hobbyists. Unsurprisingly, most herpetofaunal 16 diversity has never been systematically surveyed for the presence of neoplasms owing to the 17 extreme rarity or obscurity of many species. Museum collections can fill these gaps in 18 knowledge, especially when researchers use non-destructive techniques. In this study, we used 19 X-ray computed tomography to discover and characterize an osteosarcoma of the spine in a rare 20 South American coralsnake, Micrurus ancoralis. Two spinal vertebrae were completely fused 21 and adjacent vertebrae showed evidence of corruption. The fused vertebrae contained a hollow 22 inner network thought to be vascular tissue. We also review previous reports of tumors in the 23 Elapidae and all bony tumors in non-avian reptiles. The rarely reported technique of X-ray CT 24 for tumor discovery could greatly improve our understanding of the species diversity and 25 perhaps underlying causes of neoplasia. 26 27