Biosphere Journal Entry

Biosphere Journal Entry

Clues in Tasmanian Devil Cancer (May 24, 2010)

Since the mid-1990s, over 90 percent of the Tasmanian devil population has been wiped out by a deadly face cancer. The marsupials, found only on the Australian island of Tasmania, are struggling to avoid extinction. Researchers say they've discovered clues about how the cancer spreads by looking at DNA from the animals. Tumors on the face spread from animal to animal through direct physical contact, as when they bite or fight each other. The discovery raises hopes a vaccine can be developed in time to save the species before it goes extinct.

When the cancer was first detected, scientists suspected a virus was the cause. It was a logical guess. Viruses are linked to some human and animal cancers. But no viral connection was found. They've since learned that tumorous cells spread through the Tasmanian devil population much like like parasites, one animal at a time.

The marsupial gets its name from its eerie screech, mean temper, and dark color. Although the size of a small dog, it can appear frightening. Tasmanian devils once roamed across all of Australia but disappeared after wild dogs were introduced on the mainland. After the animals became isolated on Tasmania, their gene pool shrank. The lack of genetic variety weakened the population.