The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Why dingoes should be considered native to mainland Australia – even though humans introduced them

  • Written by Peter Banks, Professor of Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
Why dingoes should be considered native to mainland Australia – even though humans introduced them

Dingoes are often demonised[1] as a danger to livestock, while many consider them a natural and essential part of the environment. But is our most controversial wild species actually native to Australia?

Dingoes were brought to Australia by humans from Southeast Asia some 4,000 years ago. Technically, this means they are an introduced species, and an “alien” species by classic ecological definitions [2]. By contrast, most legal definitions consider dingoes native, because they were here before Europeans arrived.

Though it sounds academic, the controversy has real consequences for this ancient dog lineage. In 2018, the Western Australian government declared dingoes were not native fauna[3] due to crossbreeding with domestic dogs. This potentially makes it easier to control their numbers.

In a new research paper[4], I find dingoes do indeed fit the bill as an Australian native species, using three new criteria I propose. These criteria can help us answer questions over whether alien species can ever be considered native, and if so, over what time frame.

Why does alien or native status matter?

Humans have been moving animal species around for millennia. Thousands of years ago, neolithic settlers moved rabbits[5] to Mediterranean islands, traders unwittingly took black rats from India to Europe and Indigenous Southeast Asian people took pigs to Papua New Guinea.

The rate of species introductions has ramped up with the movement and spread of people, with many recent arrivals posing a major threat to biodiversity.

Pigs were introduced to Papua New Guinea by Indigenous people thousands of years ago. Does that make them native? Shutterstock

Researchers often distinguish between alien and native using the year the species was introduced. There are obvious problems with this, given the dates used can be arbitrary and the fact perceptions of nativeness can be based on how much humans like the species[6], rather than its ecological impact. For example, there has been strong opposition to killing “friendly” hedgehogs in areas of Scotland where they are introduced, but less cute animals like American mink get no such consideration.

Read more: The dingo fence from space: satellite images show how these top predators alter the desert[7]

For conservationists, alien status certainly matters. Alien species act differently[8] to native species in their new environments, which can give them an advantage over locals in terms of competition for food, predation and spreading new diseases. This can cause native population declines and extinctions.

As a result, species considered alien in their ecosystems are often targets for control and eradication. But species considered native are usually protected even if they have extended their range significantly, like eastern water dragons or the Australian white ibis.

Native status is, of course, a human construct. Past definitions of nativeness have not directly considered the ecological reasons for concern about alien species.

This is what my new research[9] seeks to address.

An ecological definition of nativeness

What I propose are three staged criteria to determine when an introduced species becomes native:

  1. has the introduced species evolved in its new environment?

  2. do native species recognise and respond to the introduced species as they do other local species?

  3. are the interactions between introduced and established native species similar to interactions between native species (that is, their impacts on local species are not negative and exaggerated)?

For dingoes on mainland Australia, the answer is yes for all three criteria. We should consider them native.

Dingoes on mainland Australia meet the criteria for native status. Peter Banks, Author provided

Firstly, dingoes are not the same dogs first brought here. Dingoes are now quite different[10] to their close ancestors in Southeast Asia, in terms of behaviour, how they reproduce and how they look. These differences have a genetic basis[11], suggesting they have evolved since their arrival in Australia. Their heads are now shaped differently, they breed less often and have better problem solving skills than other close dog relatives.

Second, it is well established that native prey species on mainland Australia recognise and respond to dingoes[12] as dangerous predators – which they are.

Finally, dingo impacts on prey species are not devastating[13] like those of alien predators such as feral cats and foxes. While hunting by dingoes does suppress prey numbers, they don’t keep them as low (and at greater risk of extinction) as do foxes and cats.

Read more: The dingo is a true-blue, native Australian species[14]

Of course, dingo impacts were unlikely to have always been so benign. Dingoes are linked to the extinction[15] of Tasmanian tigers (Thylacines), Tasmanian devils and the Tasmanian flightless hen, which disappeared from mainland Australia soon after the dingo arrived.

In my paper, I argue such impacts no longer occur because of evolutionary change in both dingoes and their prey. We can see this in Tasmania, which dingoes never reached. There, prey species like bandicoots still show naiveté towards dogs[16]. That means we should not consider dingoes to be native to Tasmania.

Native prey species on the mainland recognise and respond to dingoes. Shutterstock

Alien today, native tomorrow?

This idea challenges the dogma alien species remain alien forever. This is an unsettling concept for ecologists dealing with the major and ongoing damage done by newer arrivals. Some argue[17] we should never embrace alien species into natural ecosystems.

This makes no sense for long-established introduced species, which might now be playing a positive role[18] in ecosystems. But it’s a different story for recently introduced species like cats, given not enough time has passed to get past the exaggerated impacts on local species.

These ideas are not about considering all species present in an ecosystem to be native. Introduced species should still be considered alien until proven native.

Cat sitting in the outback Cats are a bigger threat to Australian wildlife than dingoes. Shutterstock

This approach suggests ways of classifying species which might be native to a country but have moved to new places within the country through mechanisms like climate change or re-wilding. For example, we can’t simply assume returning Tasmanian devils to mainland Australia[19] more than 3,000 years after dingoes drove them extinct there would count as reintroducing a native species.

Defining nativeness in this ecological way will help resolve some of the heated and long-running debates over how to distinguish alien and native species.

How? Because it targets the key reason conservationists were worried about alien species in the first place – the damage they can do.

References

  1. ^ often demonised (academic.oup.com)
  2. ^ classic ecological definitions (academic.oup.com)
  3. ^ were not native fauna (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ new research paper (meridian.allenpress.com)
  5. ^ moved rabbits (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  6. ^ humans like the species (journals.sagepub.com)
  7. ^ The dingo fence from space: satellite images show how these top predators alter the desert (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ Alien species act differently (royalsocietypublishing.org)
  9. ^ my new research (meridian.allenpress.com)
  10. ^ quite different (www.mapress.com)
  11. ^ differences have a genetic basis (www.nature.com)
  12. ^ recognise and respond to dingoes (royalsocietypublishing.org)
  13. ^ are not devastating (meridian.allenpress.com)
  14. ^ The dingo is a true-blue, native Australian species (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ linked to the extinction (journals.sagepub.com)
  16. ^ naiveté towards dogs (journals.plos.org)
  17. ^ Some argue (academic.oup.com)
  18. ^ positive role (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ mainland Australia (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/why-dingoes-should-be-considered-native-to-mainland-australia-even-though-humans-introduced-them-172756

The Times Features

Why You Need an Expert Electrician for Your Business’s Electrical Upgrades and Repairs

When it comes to maintaining and upgrading your business’s electrical systems, it’s essential to call in a professional. Electrical work in any commercial setting requires the ex...

Why Is It Crucial to Have a Building Inspection Done Before Buying a New Home?

Purchasing a new property is a big financial decision that can impact your future for years. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an investor, good or bad, it is essential to en...

Online Application for Sick Leave Certificate: Understanding When and How to Secure One

A sick leave certificate is an official document issued by a healthcare professional to verify an individual's inability to attend work due to illness. It typically includes the ...

A No-Fuss Guide to an Effective Beauty Routine

Taking care of the skin and appearance need not be complicated; it need not even consume your hours of time. Smart and simple approaches can give one that glow and fresh look witho...

Safe & Effective Tattoo Removal in Auckland – What You Need to Know

If you're looking for tattoo removal in Auckland, modern laser technology offers the safest and most effective way to fade or completely remove unwanted ink. Whether it's an outd...

Fleece-Lined Tights vs. Regular Tights: What’s the Difference?

When temperatures drop, choosing the right pair of tights can make a significant difference in comfort, warmth, and durability. Whether you wear tights for fashion, work, or outdoo...

Times Magazine

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

The Power of Digital Signage in Modern Marketing

In a fast-paced digital world, businesses must find innovative ways to capture consumer attention. Digital signage has emerged as a powerful solution, offering dynamic and engaging content that attracts and retains customers. From retail stores to ...

Why Cloud Computing Is the Future of IT Infrastructure for Enterprises

Globally, cloud computing is changing the way business organizations manage their IT infrastructure. It offers cheap, flexible and scalable solutions. Cloud technologies are applied in organizations to facilitate procedures and optimize operation...

First Nations Writers Festival

The First Nations Writers Festival (FNWF) is back for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, continuing its mission to celebrate the voices, cultures and traditions of First Nations communities through literature, art and storytelling. Set to take ...

Improving Website Performance with a Cloud VPS

Websites represent the new mantra of success. One slow website may make escape for visitors along with income too. Therefore it's an extra offer to businesses seeking better performance with more scalability and, thus represents an added attracti...

Why You Should Choose Digital Printing for Your Next Project

In the rapidly evolving world of print media, digital printing has emerged as a cornerstone technology that revolutionises how businesses and creative professionals produce printed materials. Offering unparalleled flexibility, speed, and quality, d...

LayBy Shopping