Multi-year growth progression of a neoplastic lesion on a bull shark ( Carcharhinus leucas)

Abstract

Neoplastic lesions have been described in the literature from a variety of shark species, but the inability to observe morphological changes of a tumour through time remains a challenge. Here, we describe the growth of a proliferation through a 7–year period from a female bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), characterise the proliferation, and spec-ulate on its origin. Based on macroscopic observation from photographs and videos, the most likely morphological diagnosis is chronic, proliferative gingivitis and cellulitis with necrosis and deformation of lower jaw cartilage due to multiple events of fishing gear embedded in the mandibular angle.