The tumors are very devastating. This is a harsh picture to look at. (click on) Page down to picture.
It's a dire set of circumstances for this mammal.
Tasmanian devil dying out
Hamish McCallum, professor of wildlife research at the University of Tasmania's school of zoology, said the disease, which usually results in death six months after the appearance of the first lesions, could lead to the extinction of the species within a decade.
Genetically distinct devils give new hope
Matthew Denholm
February 22, 2007
THE landmark discovery of a small group of genetically distinct Tasmanian devils could save the species from extinction.
Cytogeneticist Anne Maree Pearse has discovered that about 5 per cent of devils have a genetic make-up that, after a breeding program, could produce offspring less susceptible to cancers.
A unique infectious cancer, the fatal devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), has wiped out more than 40 per cent of wild devils.
Ms Pearse said yesterday her discovery, if backed by peer review, could lead to a breeding program to produce genetically superior devils.
These devils could then form a population to give the species "a whole new start" should DFTD destroy the rest of the species.
"Then, in a worst-case scenario of the devils becoming extinct, we may be able to have a group of devils that are a different strain but a lot healthier than the ones we have out there at the moment who are suffering," she said. "There have been people saying that there may be some underlying factor with this disease that makes them more prone. I think I may have found that underlying factor, which - with selective breeding - may be able to be overcome."
Ms Pearse stressed her research, to be submitted for peer review via an international scientific journal within months, was "still very theoretical".
But she said a breeding program using the 5 per cent of devils with the genetic factor could begin quickly once her findings had been validated.
However, she cautioned that further work was needed to ensure it was not leading the rescue effort into a "blind alley".
DFTD is described by scientists as a rogue cell line transmitted between the notoriously feisty devils when they bite each other. It has spread across 59 per cent of Tasmania, resulting in the state and federal governments listing the species as vulnerable.
Scientists are slowly unravelling the mysteries of the globally unique disease, with a trial vaccine developed at the University of Tasmania to be tested later this year.
In another development, researchers believe the lack of genetic diversity among devils means their immune system does not recognise the DFTD rogue cell line as foreign.
This prevents an immune response, leading to an unabated spread of tumours and death within three to eight months.
About 45 disease-free devils have been sent to mainland zoos and wildlife parks as a "Noah's Ark" population.
