source: www.planetearth.nerc.ac.uk
For the first time in history, wild fish have been caught and observed with melanoma, skin cancer. About 15% of the trout in Australia have contracted cancer from ultraviolet radiation. Australia, lies under the world’s biggest hole in the ozone layer, and Aussies are the most likely global citizens to be diagnosed with melanoma. Until recently it was not known fish could get skin cancer, until researchers surveyed the coral trout and noticed dark patches that were confirmed as melanomas.
This was the last thing scientists thought they would observe while conducting a survey on shark prey near the Great Barrier Reef. But, the dark strange spots on brightly coloured orange fish caught their attention. First the dark spots were checked for microbial pathogens, but nothing appeared, so they “look[ed] deeper…”
This was the last thing scientists thought they would observe while conducting a survey on shark prey near the Great Barrier Reef. But, the dark strange spots on brightly coloured orange fish caught their attention. First the dark spots were checked for microbial pathogens, but nothing appeared, so they “look[ed] deeper…”
source: www.io9.com
While observing the darkened tissue under a microscope they “…stumbled on tumour formations,” then compared them with tissue samples from fish in captivity that had been given melanoma (as part of a laboratory experiment). The tissues were identical.
Although this is the first recorded account of melanoma in wild fish, it more than likely isn’t a unique case. Because of the location of these fish habitat, they lie directly in the centre of the ozone hole, and are more likely to carry cancer-causing mutations in their DNA. Also, this habitat is at the limit of coral trout’s habitat, meaning the extreme conditions cause more stress and make these trout more vulnerable to disease.
Although this is the first recorded account of melanoma in wild fish, it more than likely isn’t a unique case. Because of the location of these fish habitat, they lie directly in the centre of the ozone hole, and are more likely to carry cancer-causing mutations in their DNA. Also, this habitat is at the limit of coral trout’s habitat, meaning the extreme conditions cause more stress and make these trout more vulnerable to disease.
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