http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130415151448.htm
Among scientists, the fish are meticulously studied for their tendency to develop melanoma and for other
attributes more common to mammals, like courting prospective mates and giving birth to live young.
Known scientifically as Xiphophorus maculatus, platyfish sport a variety of spectacular colors -- brilliant
oranges, yellows and a lovely iridescent silver -- and myriad striped and speckled patterns. And when
melanomas develop, they are easy to spot, even to an untrained eye.
"In platyfish, melanomas typically develop as black splotches along the tail and fins," says senior author
Wesley Warren, PhD, a geneticist at Washington University's Genome Institute. "These fish are an ideal
model for exploring the many unknowns of cancer, including how, when and where it develops in the
body as well as its severity."
Among scientists, the fish are meticulously studied for their tendency to develop melanoma and for other
attributes more common to mammals, like courting prospective mates and giving birth to live young.
Known scientifically as Xiphophorus maculatus, platyfish sport a variety of spectacular colors -- brilliant
oranges, yellows and a lovely iridescent silver -- and myriad striped and speckled patterns. And when
melanomas develop, they are easy to spot, even to an untrained eye.
"In platyfish, melanomas typically develop as black splotches along the tail and fins," says senior author
Wesley Warren, PhD, a geneticist at Washington University's Genome Institute. "These fish are an ideal
model for exploring the many unknowns of cancer, including how, when and where it develops in the
body as well as its severity."
