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Occurrence, prevalence and seasonality of neoplasia in the marine mussel Mytilus edulis from three sites in Denmark

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Abstract

The occurrence, prevalence, seasonality and possible etiology of a neoplastic disorder in natural populations of the mussel Mytilus edulis from three sites in Denmark were studied, comprising monthly sampling of 300 mussels per sample from each site during one year (October 1983 to September 1984). Neoplasia occurred at all three sites. Statistical analysis indicated that there were significant differences in the monthly prevalences of the disorder between the three sites and within each site. At two sites the prevalences were found to be seasonally related. Cytologically, the neoplasia exhibited malignant characteristics. Electron microscopy showed that the neoplastic cells were extremely pleomorphic, with large irregular nuclei. Large (approximately 200 nm diam) virus-like particles were associated with the nuclei.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology, Odense University, Campusvej 55, DK-5230, Odense M, Denmark

    L. P. D. Rasmussen

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  1. L. P. D. Rasmussen
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Communicated by T.M. Fenchel, Aarhus

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Rasmussen, L.P.D. Occurrence, prevalence and seasonality of neoplasia in the marine mussel Mytilus edulis from three sites in Denmark. Marine Biology 92, 59–64 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392746

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392746

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