ANTHRACOSIS IN THE ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)

In routine necropsies on Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus ), stranded on the west coast of Florida between Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay, the presence of black deposits was noted on gross inspection of the mediastinal lymph nodes. On microscopic examination these proved to be accumulations of macrophages loaded with fine carbon particles. The latter were identified by their typical greenish-black color, the size and irregular shape of the particles, and by an appearance identical to that seen in human lymph nodes. All cases in which mediastinal lymph nodes and/or lung tissue were available were reviewed.