Cancer forces Tasmanian devils to breed earlier

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID , AP Science Writer, General Science / Biology

In this April 10, 2006 file photo, a Tasmanian devil growls at the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark. Faced with an epidemic of cancer that cuts their lives short, Tasmanian devils have begun breeding at younger ages, according to researchers at the University of Tasmania in Australia. (AP Photo/John McConnico)

(AP) -- The little devils just can't wait. Faced with an epidemic of cancer that cuts their lives short, Tasmanian devils have begun breeding at younger ages, according to researchers at the University of Tasmania in Australia.

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Posted by zevkirsh 07/14/08 18:16

Rank: 5/5 after 3 votes

this is evolution and it happens quickly!

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Posted by gopher65 07/15/08 17:02

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Am I the only one who thinks Tasmanian Devils are cute? Vicious looking, but cute.

Anyway, as to the story, that is an amazingly fast adaptation 0_0, though I think it is more a cultural adaptation on the part of the devils than it is a physiological adaptation. Maybe this species won't die out after all.

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Posted by simonl 07/15/08 17:56

Rank: 5/5 after 1 vote

Isn't it just natural cause and action? Sounds wrong to call it evolution, and even adaptation.

In many species (not only mammals) the right to breed is strictly controlled by the stronger, adult individuals. But when they are mostly dead, what prevents the "teens" from breeding? Given enough food (which is present since the adults are dead) they will succeed.

The interesting part (that the article is not too clear on) would be if they were not previously able to breed at age 1, but has gained the ability in just 12 years.