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Tasmanian devil genome holds secret to survival Tasmanian devil genome holds secret to survival
(40 minutes later)
Scientists have sequenced the complete genomes of two Tasmanian devils in the hope of finding clues to preserving this highly endangered marsupial.Scientists have sequenced the complete genomes of two Tasmanian devils in the hope of finding clues to preserving this highly endangered marsupial.
Devil populations have been decimated by a highly contagious facial cancer that is transferred when these aggressive animals bite each other.Devil populations have been decimated by a highly contagious facial cancer that is transferred when these aggressive animals bite each other.
The findings will help researchers select the best individuals to be kept in captivity for eventual re-release.The findings will help researchers select the best individuals to be kept in captivity for eventual re-release.
The research is outlined in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.The research is outlined in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, gets its name from its high-pitch, blood-curdling squeal, and is renowned for fighting over access to animal carcases, which it grinds with the bone-crushing force of its jaws.The Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, gets its name from its high-pitch, blood-curdling squeal, and is renowned for fighting over access to animal carcases, which it grinds with the bone-crushing force of its jaws.
Candid cancerCandid cancer
In 1996, a wildlife photographer snapped an image of an animal in the far north-east of Tasmania with a peculiar growth on its face.In 1996, a wildlife photographer snapped an image of an animal in the far north-east of Tasmania with a peculiar growth on its face.
The growth, it turned out, was neither benign, not isolated to this one individual, but was a highly contagious, fatal cancer, that seemed to be spreading through the population at lightning speed. The growth, it turned out, was neither benign, nor isolated to this one individual, but was a highly contagious, fatal cancer that seemed to be spreading through the population at lightning speed.
By 2007 conservationists reported that Devil Facial Tumour Disease, DFTD, had wiped out more than 90% of devil populations in the north-east of Tasmania, and was spreading west. By 2007, conservationists reported that Devil Facial Tumour Disease, DFTD, had wiped out more than 90% of devil populations in the north-east of Tasmania, and was spreading west.
A strategy to save the devil from extinction was begun.A strategy to save the devil from extinction was begun.
Now, an international team of genomicists is offering a helping hand.Now, an international team of genomicists is offering a helping hand.
The researchers took advantage of the latest technology to sequence the genomes of two devils - an uninfected male called Cedric, and an infected female called Spirit - along with smaller segments of DNA from 175 other individuals. The researchers took advantage of the latest technology to read the genetic sequence of two devils - an uninfected male called Cedric, and an infected female called Spirit - along with smaller segments of DNA from 175 other individuals.
The team hopes to use the genomes to pinpoint which individuals should be placed into "protective custody" to wait out the cancerous epidemic before being reintroduced.The team hopes to use the genomes to pinpoint which individuals should be placed into "protective custody" to wait out the cancerous epidemic before being reintroduced.
From their analysis, they predicted how best to capture as much genetic diversity among the individuals put aside for captive breeding, explained lead author Webb Miller, a genomicist from Pennsylvania State University. From their analysis, the scientists predicted how best to capture as much genetic diversity among the individuals put aside for captive breeding, explained lead author Webb Miller, a genomicist from Pennsylvania State University, US.
He explains that choosing individuals who are very genetically dissimilar should take priority over whether they are resistant to the cancer. He said that choosing individuals who were very genetically dissimilar should take priority over whether they were resistant to the cancer.
The devil you knowThe devil you know
"It is a big step forward to actually get the genome sequence from this animal... the [world's largest] remaining carnivorous marsupial," said zoologist David Rollinson from London's Natural History Museum. "It is a big step forward to actually get the genome sequence from this animal... the [world's largest] remaining carnivorous marsupial," said zoologist David Rollinson from the Natural History Museum, UK.
Getting two complete genomes is very valuable, says Dr Rollinson, but getting as many samples as they did, from as many different animals "is just the icing on the cake". Getting two complete genomes was very valuable, said Dr Rollinson, but getting as many samples as they did, from as many different animals was "just the icing on the cake".
Dr Rollinson thinks that a similar approach could be used to study and save other endangered animals.Dr Rollinson thinks that a similar approach could be used to study and save other endangered animals.
The researchers also sequenced one of the five tumours from Spirit's head for clues to why the Tasmanian devils fail to recognise the cancer as "non-self", and destroy it before it takes hold.The researchers also sequenced one of the five tumours from Spirit's head for clues to why the Tasmanian devils fail to recognise the cancer as "non-self", and destroy it before it takes hold.
Understanding what it is about the devil's immune system that makes it so ineffectual at picking up the facial cancer will not only help treat those already infected, but will hold clues about whether the cancer can jump species.Understanding what it is about the devil's immune system that makes it so ineffectual at picking up the facial cancer will not only help treat those already infected, but will hold clues about whether the cancer can jump species.
"The greatest worry is that it will jump into another marsupial," said cancer geneticist Elizabeth Murchison from the Welcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, UK."The greatest worry is that it will jump into another marsupial," said cancer geneticist Elizabeth Murchison from the Welcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, UK.