METASTATIC MALIGNANT-MELANOMA IN A MANDARINE DUCK (AIX-GALERICULATA)

A biopsy taken from a mass on the dorsal surface of the bill of an adu lt female mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) was diagnosed as a malignan t melanoma by light microscopy. Two months later, the tumor had enlarg ed considerably; the duck developed severe dyspnea and was euthanatize d. At necropsy, there were metastases to lymphoid tissues in the lower regions of the neck. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a malignant melanoma in a mandarin duck.