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| Newswatch |
Disease resistant devils?
It was recently announced that scientists are requesting $1.5 million in funding to construct a devil-proof fence in Tasmania's north west. Today's article notes that there are "tantalising signs that some devils in Tasmania's West [are] partially or maybe totally resistant to [devil facial tumour disease]."
It is known that devils marginally vary genetically across the state from east to west. Because the genetic differences are small, earlier reports emphasised the fear that the entire species was destined to succumb to the disease, but today's report places some hope on a small population surviving.
The requested fence would buy scientists more time to identify those devils - if any - which are truly resistant.
Full article at Mercury
Posted by: admin on 25 Nov 2007 09:02 PM.
Updated by: admin on 25 Nov 2007 09:02 PM
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