First report of synophthalmia and leucism in a bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) embryo from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

An abnormal embryo (male of 465 mm total length) and 13 other embryos were removed from a pregnant female bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) caught in coastal waters between the Grijalva River and Terminos Lagoon in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The first record of synophthalmia and leucism in the bull shark is presented. The shark cyclopia case is reviewed.