Histological examination of livers of golden tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) collected aboard multiple R/V Weatherbird II cruises in the Gulf of Mexico from 2012-08-14 to 2016-09-06

This dataset contains a histological examination of livers of golden tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) collected aboard the R/V Weatherbird II cruises WB-1304, WB-1403, WB-1502, WB-1602, WB-1603, and WB-1701 in the Gulf of Mexico from 2012-08-14 to 2016-09-06. The dataset includes the identified presence of histological changes and images of the gross and histological evaluations. Formalin-fixed tissues were individually evaluated for color, texture, size, shape, and consistency. Photographs were taken with a Sony-Cybershot camera (Sony Corporation, Minato, Tokyo, Japan). At least two photographs were taken of the samples from each container. The first photo contained the label along with the tissues from the sample jar. A second photo was taken of the samples to highlight gross morphology. If an abnormality was observed, additional photos were procured of the abnormality. Histological sections were stained with routine Hematoxylin and Eosin. Slides were evaluated blind in respect to the location and date of collection. After a preliminary evaluation, several fish were chosen to characterize specific lesions with special stains. Special stains included Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) with and without diastase, Gram stain, Perl’s Iron, Von Kossa, and Masson’s trichrome. Microscopic examination was performed using a Nikon Eclipse 80i (Nikon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan) and photomicrographs were taken with an Accu-scope Excelis HD (Commack, NY). The cruise documentation was provided for the R/V Weatherbird II cruises WB-1304, WB-1403, WB-1502, WB-1602, WB-1603, and WB-1701 led by chief scientists Dr. Steven Murawski and Dr. David Hollander. This dataset supports the publication: Pulster, E. L., Gracia, A., Snyder, S. M., Deak, K., Fogelson, S., & Murawski, S. A. (2019). Chronic Sub-lethal Effects Observed in Wild-Caught Fishes Following Two Major Oil Spills in the Gulf of Mexico: Deepwater Horizon and Ixtoc 1. Deep Oil Spills, 388–413. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-11605-7_24