A viral dermatitis of the smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis (Mitchill)

Abstract. A viral infection of the smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis (Mitchill), a squaliform shark, is described. The disease was found and observed in wild, laboratory-maintained and aquaria-displayed populations of smooth dogfish of the Woods Hole area of Massachusetts during a 2.5-year period. The disease was characterized by the progressive development of gross and microscopic herpes-like skin lesions. Electron microscopic examination revealed cellular pathology, viral replication and transport, and virions that conformed to those of herpesvirus infection. This study is the first report of a viral infection in elasmobranchs. The comparative pathology and implication for wild and captive shark populations is discussed.