The biological control of pest rabbit populations in Australia by myxoma virus has provided an evolutionary experiment that is still having an impact on international science more than 50 year later, according to Dr Peter Kerr.
In an Australian Academy of Science public lecture entitled Myxomatosis and rabbits: biological control and evolution, Dr Peter Kerr, will describe the pioneering studies done by Professor Frank Fenner following the release of myxoma virus and how these have provided the underpinning for much of the current understanding of the evolution of infectious disease agents.
The initial myxoma virus caused a rabbit fatality rate of around 99.8 per cent, but it was soon out-competed by slightly weakened mutant strains that spread more easily and more rabbits survived after infection.
These two factors led to the emergence of resistance in the rabbit population and reduced the effectiveness of biological control. Despite differences in climate and geography, similar findings were also observed in Europe when the virus was released there.
Dr Peter Kerr’s free public lecture today is the final lecture in the Academy’s series held to honour the life and work of Frank Fenner, who died last year on 22 November.
| What: | Final Fenner’s Science series public lecture Myxomatosis and rabbits: biological control and evolution By Dr Peter Kerr |
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| When: | 5.30 pm, Tuesday 6 December 2011 |
| Where: | The Shine Dome, Gordon Street, Canberra View map |
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