Month: December 2011

Reduced effect of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease at the disease front

Pathogen-driven declines in animal populations are increasingly regarded as a major conservation issue. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is threatened with extinction by devil facial tumor disease, a unique transmissible cancer. The disease is transmitted through direct transfer of tumor cells, which is possible because the genetic diversity of Tasmanian devils […]

Effectiveness of breeding guidelines for reducing the prevalence of syringomyelia

Several toy breed dogs are predisposed to syringomyelia (SM), a spinal cord disorder, characterised by fluid-filled cavitation. SM is a complex trait with a moderately high heritability. Selective breeding against SM is confounded by its complex inheritance, its late onset nature and high prevalence in some breeds. This study investigated […]

Endangered birds grace Peruvian stamps

Thanks to the efforts of Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos in Peru, and the Natural History Museum of San Marcos, the Peruvian Postal Service has announced two new postage stamps featuring two of the world’s most endangered birds. The stamps depict the endangered marvelous spatuletail and the critically endangered white-bellied cinclodes, both […]

Progress with AMRRIC animal management worker program

An AMRRIC program to recruit Indigenous animal management workers in several Northern Territory shires has progressed with the appointment of a project manager, whilE East Arnhem Shire has also formally confirmed its involvement in the program. Veterinarian John Skuja has taken up the position of Project Manager with AMRRIC. Skuja […]