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Oncogenesis as a selective force: adaptive evolution in the face of a transmissible cancer

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journal contribution
posted on 2018-03-01, 00:00 authored by T Russell, Thomas MadsenThomas Madsen, F Thomas, Nynke RavenNynke Raven, R Hamede, Beata UjvariBeata Ujvari
Similar to parasites, malignant cells exploit the host for energy, resources and protection, thereby impairing host health and fitness. Although cancer is widespread in the animal kingdom, its impact on life history traits and strategies have rarely been documented. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a transmissible cancer, afflicting Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), provides an ideal model system to monitor the impact of cancer on host life-history, and to elucidate the evolutionary arms-race between malignant cells and their hosts. Here we provide an overview of parasite-induced host life history (LH) adaptations, then both phenotypic plasticity of LH responses and changes in allele frequencies that affect LH traits of Tasmanian devils in response to DFTD are discussed. We conclude that akin to parasites, cancer can directly and indirectly affect devil LH traits and trigger host evolutionary responses. Consequently, it is important to consider oncogenic processes as a selective force in wildlife.

History

Journal

Bioessays

Volume

40

Issue

3

Article number

1700146

Pagination

1 - 9

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Location

Chichester, Eng.

ISSN

0265-9247

eISSN

1521-1878

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2018, WILEY Periodicals, Inc.