Reporting on Thursday in the British science journal
Nature, a Tasmanian duo propose that the horrific, disfiguring disease is transmitted by biting when the animals fight or engage in courtship rituals.
Cancerous cells are dislodged from an infected devil and are passed on to another animal if it gets bitten around the mouth, according to their study, which is based on an ID scan of the cancer's genes.
The spread of the disease is compounded by the small gene pool of remaining Tasmanian devils. Lack of genetic diversity diminishes the capacity of their immune systems to fight the infection, the researchers believe.
The study was led by Anne-Maree Pearse of Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.
In a related news report,
Nature said a pilot study conducted in two peninsulas on Tasmania's southeastern coast showed progress in combating the spread of the disease.
All infected animals were removed from a 120-square-kilometer (46.3-square-mile) area of the peninsulas. As a result the population of devils in this area remained intact and no new cases of the facial cancer were reported.
Despite this, it may be impossible to introduce such a scheme across all of Tasmania, which places the onus on a vaccine or therapy to combat the disease,
Nature said.
Name: Tasmanian Devil (
Sarcophilus harrisii)
Primary Classification: Dasyuridae (Carnivorous Marsupials)
Location: Eastern Tasmania; extinct in Australia.
Habitat: Dry eucalyptus forest.
Diet: Carrion, insects, snakes, some vegetation, wallabies and other small mammals.
Size: Up to 30 inches in length and 20 lbs in weight.
Description: Brownish black fur; long white patches on chest, sides and rump; pinkish snout; broad, massive head; powerful jaws with sharp, sturdy teeth; thickset, squat build; short, thick tail.
Cool Facts: If threatened, it will open its enormous mouth in a wide, gaping yawn and may produce a strong odor when under stress.
Conservation Status: Not listed by the IUCN.
