Catfish with Melanoma Cancer (IMAGE)
Caption
Scientists in Vermont have been studying catfish with mysterious black lesions--like this one. They were surprised to learn that the lesions are melanoma skin cancer and more surprised to discover that the cancer is transmissible, moving from fish to fish like a parasite. This is the first time a transmissible cancer has been found in a freshwater animal and only the fourth time in any animal. The diseased fish were first found in Lake Memphremagog on the Vermont/Quebec border, but now the team has found fish with this cancer in other lakes in New England and Canada.
Credit
Vermont Fish & Wildlife
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License
CC BY-ND