"Disease-Driven Decline of Tasmanian Devil Alters Genetics of Spotted-Tailed Quoll"

The declining population of Tasmanian devils, caused by a contagious tumour disease, is impacting the genetics of the spotted-tailed quoll, a smaller predator. The study found that as devil numbers decrease, quolls in affected regions become more genetically similar, with evidence of genetic selection in response to changes in devil numbers. This shift in genetic variation and reduced genetic exchange among quoll populations could lead to lower genetic diversity and potential evolutionary consequences.