Liver anomalies in dab Limanda limanda from the southern North Sea with special consideration given to neoplastic lesions

During 3 research cruises in the southern North Sea between 1986 and 1988 dab Limanda limanda L. were examined for liver anomalies.Macroscopic and microscopic descriptions include different color irregularities and neoplastic changes.The frequency of the various liver lesions observed were calculated, the influence of fish length, sex, and season on their occurrence studied, and their geographical distribution was documented.It is discussed whether examination of dab livers is a suitable additional method in biologcal effect monitoring programs.