This is a model of infection. Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer that affects Tasmanian devils. The disease is spread by biting and causes the appearance of tumors on the face or inside the mouth of affected Tasmanian devils. The tumors often become very large and usually cause death of affected animals. The disease has caused a massive decline in the Tasmanian devil population, and the species is now considered endangered. We know that Tasmanian devils are territorial and live in specific areas.
This model was developed to answer the question “How does this disease spread between territories? What is the likelihood that the disease in one area will spread to neighboring areas?”