SPONTANEOUS PROLIFERATIONS IN AUSTRALIAN MARSUPIALS - A SURVEY AND REVIEW .1. MACROPODS, KOALAS, WOMBATS, POSSUMS AND GLIDERS

This report catalogues all spontaneous proliferations in macropods, koalas, wombats, and possums and gliders held by the Comparative Pathology Registry at Taronga Zoo. Proliferative lesions were present in 14 macropods, 26 koalas, two wombats and 22 possums and gliders. Most neoplasms recorded in macropods were singular and many were found incidentally. Lymphoid neoplasia, cranio-facial tumours and apparent mesotheliomas were common in koalas. Hyperplastic or benign neoplastic masses in adrenals and livers were common in possums. In addition, previously misdiagnosed splenic haernatopoietic hyperplasia was common in these animals. Mammary proliferations were present in macropods and gliders. No obvious aetiological factors have been identified in any of the tumour conditions, although there is some evidence to suggest a viral involvement in lymphosarcoma in koalas. © 1990, Academic Press Limited. All rights reserved.