Spontaneous proliferations in Australian marsupials--a survey and review. 2. Dasyurids and bandicoots

Abstract

This report catalogues all spontaneous proliferations in dasyurids and bandicoots held by the Comparative Pathology Registry at Taronga Zoo. Proliferative lesions were present in 70 dasyurids and three bandicoots. Hyperplastic or benign neoplastic masses in adrenals and livers were common in dasyurids. In addition, previously misdiagnosed splenic haematopoietic hyperplasia was common. A variety of mammary proliferations was present in dasyurids. Dasyurids often had multiple proliferative lesions. Lymphoid neoplasia was common, especially in the smaller dasyurids. No obvious aetiological factors have been identified in any of the tumour conditions in dasyurids although there is some evidence to suggest a genetic predisposition to lymphosarcoma in the fat-tailed antechinus.