dingo hybrids

Most wild dingos are pure, not hybrids

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In a University of New South Wales study led by Dr. Kylie Cairns, a conservation biologist, they discovered that most of the dingo population is pure and not crossed with dogs as previously thought. This is important because dingo’s and dingo crosses were considered “wild dogs” an invasive species, and were allowed to be hunted.

What is interesting is that Dingoes are genetically distinct from domestic dogs but they can interbreed.

Dingo – Google free image

According to Dr. Cairns, the old method of determining the purity of dingoes only used a small number of genetic markers (only 23) which overestimated the amount of dog ancestry, being inaccurate by over 30 percent. The new test allows them to look at 195,000 points across the genome.

Dr. Cairns feels that the dingo should be protected and not subjected to lethal control measures. If the dingo is removed the area can become overrun by kangaroos, foxes and feral cats which threaten other native animals and alter the vegetation. While dingoes are a threat to some livestock, they do play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem and biodiversity.

Sue’s note: This sounds very similar to past issues that we have had in the United States with wolves. This study also shows that because two species can interbreed, it does not mean that they are descended one from another. Many species that are not related are interbred, such as in the feline, equine and canine families.

  1. Kylie M. Cairns, Mathew S. Crowther, Heidi G. Parker, Elaine A. Ostrander, Mike Letnic. Genome‐wide variant analyses reveal new patterns of admixture and population structure in Australian dingoes. Molecular Ecology, 2023; DOI: 10.1111/mec.16998

University of New South Wales. “New DNA testing technology shows majority of wild dingoes are pure, not hybrids.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 May 2023. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530125449.htm>.

Dingo, hybrid dingo or wild dog?

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In a revealing study conducted by the University of New South Wales, Dr. Kylie Cairns a biologist found that contrary to popular belief, there are few wild dogs and Dingo hybrids in Australia. The study showed that 99% of the 5000+ animals tested, were pure Dingoes or if they were hybrids, were mostly Dingo and not dog. Only 1% were wild dogs or dog dominant hybrids.

Some groups refer to Dingoes as wild dogs and try to kill them. The researchers feel that if Dingoes are called Dingoes, the groups that are in favor of destroying them will change their attitude.  Because Dingoes come in a range of colors, it can be difficult for people to identify a Dingo and mistake it for a wild dog.

Dingo

Research has found that by killing Dingoes, the local ecosystem is harmed. The Dingoes keep the herbivores and smaller predators under control and thus keep the environment balanced. When the Dingoes are removed, the Kangaroo population grows which leads to overgrazing and causes damage to the soil.  

Only the Victoria National Park in Australia protects Dingoes. Elsewhere they are hunted by dropping aerial bait to kill them. Farmers do complain that their livestock is harmed by Dingoes so a means of protecting farm animals is necessary.