Cancer: a missing link in ecosystem functioning?

Cancer Prevalence and Etiology in Wild and Captive Animals

“…Recent studies have, however, shown that even these species may develop cancer (Delaney et al, 2016;Finkelstein, 2005) strongly suggesting that the vast majority of multicellular organisms are indeed susceptible to cancer. The frequent occurrence of cancer in metazoans suggests that neoplasia, similar to pathogens/parasites, may have a significant negative impact on host fitness in the wild (Vittecoq et al, 2013). This is supported by a recent review of wildlife cancer by McAloose and Newton (2009) demonstrating that high prevalence of cancer in, for example, Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) resulted in concomitant significant increase in levels of mortality and reduction in fitness.…”

The guardians of inherited oncogenic vulnerabilities

“…() and Vittecoq et al. (), cancer, depending on species/populations and/or their habitat, is a more or less likely cause of death. For instance, small rodents in nature may succumb to cancer, but only if they do not first die from any one of numerous other causes, such as predators, infectious diseases, environmental causes (e.g., floods, extreme temperatures), etc.…”

Quality Standard Setting and Environmental Monitoring

“…Cancer is a disease that affects the majority of metazoan species (Vittecoq et al, 2013). Cancer is a disease that affects the majority of metazoan species (Vittecoq et al, 2013).…”

“…Because in most cases, cancer is postreproductive (Romeo and Wirgin, 2011), many scientists consider that it is not a critical factor for the long-term viability of most populations (Matthiessen et al, 2010). Another reason not to neglect the potential effect of carcinogenic compounds is the diversity of ways in which oncogenic phenomena may influence the competitive abilities of individuals, their susceptibility to pathogens, their vulnerability to predators, and their ability to disperse, thus affecting ecological processes that govern biotic interactions (Vittecoq et al, 2013). Another reason not to neglect the potential effect of carcinogenic compounds is the diversity of ways in which oncogenic phenomena may influence the competitive abilities of individuals, their susceptibility to pathogens, their vulnerability to predators, and their ability to disperse, thus affecting ecological processes that govern biotic interactions (Vittecoq et al, 2013).…”