What negative effects does cannabalism have in other species (like prion diseases) and how are they mitigated?

Question

It is well known that human cannibals are likely to suffer from a variety of ailments, particularly prion diseases. However a great many other species, from insect to ape practice cannibalism at much higher rates. Do they suffer from similar diseases as a result of their cannibalism? If not why not? and do they have evolved mechanisms for dealing with these negative effects?

Answer 1

Prion diseases are not caused by cannibalism, only spread by it. They are disorders caused by the collection of misfolded proteins (prions) in contaminated human brain tissue- consuming that brain tissue leads to contraction of the disease.

Cannibalism, as a direct response to diminishing resources in an area where the population has passed the threshold of exponential growth, is a control factor within itself. So yes, disease spread is directly correlated with this phenomenon. Iridovirus in isopods ( Invertebrate iridescent virus 31 (IIV-31) ) for example, transfers from host to host with the consumption of the deceased among other methods.

Without disease, there are some benefits to cannibalism, however the cons of loss of the ability to reproduce/spread genes (by eliminating potential mates or even ones young) typically outweigh the pros.