Genetic Sequencing Reveals Evolution of Contagious Cancers in Tasmanian Devils.

A genetic analysis of Tasmanian devils' contagious facial cancers has been conducted, offering insights into how the diseases emerged, evolved and spread. The study tracked the evolution of devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) and devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2), which are both spread by biting. The results show that DFT1 emerged in 1986, while DFT2 didn't arise until 2011. The fast-growing DFT2 cancer could shrink the window for infection, leading to more infections that spread faster, giving the cancer and its variants a competitive edge over less transmissible types.