The contagious cancer has led to the devil population declining by up to 90% in some areas.Researchers have sequenced the genome of the killer disease that is driving the remaining wild populations of Tasmanian devils towards extinction.
They hope the genetic data will offer clues on how to suppress the spread of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), which is transmitted via biting.
Since DFTD was first recorded in 1996, populations in some areas are estimated to have declined by up to 90%.
Details of the research have been published in the journal Cell.
DFTD refers to a fatal condition that is characterised by the appearance of facial tumours.
As these develop into large cancerous growths, the animal finds it hard to eat. As it becomes weaker, it is unable to compete with other animals for food.
Researchers say that affected animals appear to die within three to five months of the lesions first appearing.
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