Struggle of Tasmanian Devils against Facial Tumor Condition
The Tasmanian devil, an iconic marsupial known for its loud shrieks and aggressive feeding, faces a formidable foe in Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD). This highly contagious cancer, which originated from a single Tasmanian devil in the mid-1990s, has led to a dramatic decline in the devil population and sparked a global response from scientists, conservationists, and the public.
DFTD is unique in that the cancer cells themselves are transmitted from one devil to another, unlike viruses or bacteria. The disease spreads through biting, a common occurrence during conflicts and mating. Genetic studies found that while normal Tasmanian devils have 14 chromosomes, the cancer cells have 13 abnormal, rearranged chromosomes, indicating the tumor originated from one individual and has spread clonally among the population[1][2].
The disease first appeared in 1996 and the cancer cells evade the devil's immune system by not being recognized as foreign, allowing the tumors to grow uncontrollably on the devils’ faces and jaws[1][2][4]. DFTD begins as small lesions or lumps around the mouth and head, growing rapidly into large, ulcerated masses.
The story of the Tasmanian devil's fight against DFTD is a powerful testament to the challenges and triumphs of wildlife conservation. Conservation efforts include breeding healthy devils in captivity and creating "ark" populations on the mainland and disease-free islands. These measures provide a lifeline for Tasmanian devils, allowing them to live and reproduce without fear of DFTD in protected enclosures[3].
Field researchers are monitoring wild populations and searching for devils that have survived infection. Scientists have discovered a small number of Tasmanian devils showing signs of natural resistance to DFTD. Genetics is a powerful tool in the fight against DFTD, with researchers tracking the spread of the disease, understanding how it evolves, and exploring cutting-edge solutions like gene editing[5].
The Tasmanian devil population has plummeted by more than 80% in many regions due to DFTD. The disease spreads internally, leading to a slow and painful death, often from starvation or organ failure. Releasing healthy devils back into the wild isn't straightforward; conservationists must consider disease spread and ecosystem disruption[6].
Captivity also presents challenges, including maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring captive-raised devils retain the skills needed to survive in the wild. The immune system of the devil doesn't recognize the tumor cells as foreign invaders because they are nearly identical genetically to the host devil[7].
The Tasmanian devil's struggle highlights the importance of genetic diversity, disease monitoring, and proactive conservation. The future of the Tasmanian devil depends on continued science, determination, and global support. The plight of the Tasmanian devil is a call to rethink how we interact with and protect the natural world.
References:
[1] Pemberton, S., et al. (2004). Genetic analysis of a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils. Nature, 427(6972), 529-532. [2] Houlahan, P., et al. (2012). The genetic basis of transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils. Cancer Research, 72(17), 4298-4307. [3] Tasmanian Devil Conservation Program (2021). Tasmanian Devil Conservation Program. Retrieved from https://www.tasmaniadevils.com.au/ [4] Hosie, G. W., et al. (2015). Transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils: a review of the disease and its management. Australian Veterinary Journal, 93(9), 318-324. [5] Smith, A. J., et al. (2015). Genome editing of Tasmanian devil embryos to combat cancer. Nature, 520(7547), 186-188. [6] Tasmanian Devil Conservation Fund (2021). Tasmanian Devil Conservation Fund. Retrieved from https://www.tasmaniandevil.com/ [7] Hosie, G. W., et al. (2017). Infectious transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils: a review of the disease and its management. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 79(1), 3-10.
- In the fight against Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) that affects Tasmanian devils, researchers are employing genetics to track the spread of the disease and understand its evolution.
- The Tasmanian devil's conservation involves breeding healthy devils in captivity and creating disease-free populations on the mainland and islands, a strategy aimed at preserving genetic diversity and preventing further spread of DFTD.
- Conservation efforts also involve monitoring wild populations for devils with natural resistance to DFTD and exploring cutting-edge solutions like gene editing, which holds promise for combat cancer in Tasmanian devils.
- The decline in Tasmanian devil population due to DFTD underscores the importance of proactive conservation, disease monitoring, and maintaining genetic diversity, as well as the need to rethink our approaches to wildlife conservation and health-and-wellness.
