Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/58649
Title: The dingo (Canis familiaris) as a secondary disperser of mycorrhizal fungal spores
Contributor(s): Elliott, Todd F  (author)orcid ; Paine, C E Timothy  (author)orcid ; Ballard, Guy-Anthony  (author)orcid ; Milne, Heath  (author); Van der Eyk, Josh  (author); Elliott, Kelsey (author); Meek, Paul  (author); Bruhl, Jeremy J  (author)orcid ; Vernes, Karl  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2023
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1071/WR22057
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/58649
Abstract: 

Context. Many mycorrhizal fungi are vital to nutrient acquisition in plant communities, and some taxa are reliant on animal-mediated dispersal. The majority of animals that disperse spores are relatively small and have short-distance movement patterns, but carnivores – and especially apex predators – eat many of these small mycophagists and then move greater distances. No studies to date have assessed the ecosystem services carnivores provide through long-distance spore dispersal. Aims. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Australia's free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris), including dingoes, act as long-distance spore dispersers by predating smaller mycophagous animals and then secondarily dispersing the fungi consumed by these prey species. Methods. To answerthis question, we collected dingo scats along 40 km of transects in eastern Australia and analysed the scats to determine the presence of fungal spores and prey animals. Using telemetry and passage rate data, we then developed a movement model to predict the spore dispersal potential of dingoes. Key results. We found 16 species of mammalian prey to be eaten by dingoes, and those dingo scats contained spores of 14 genera of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi were more likely to appear in the scats of dingoes if primary mycophagist prey mammals had been consumed. Our model predicted dingo median spore dispersal distance to be 2050 m and maximum dispersal potential to be 10 700 m. Conclusions. Our study indicates that dingoes are providing a previously overlooked ecosystem service through the long-distance dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi. Many of the fungi found in this study form hypogeous (underground) fruiting bodies that are unable to independently spread spores via wind. Because dingoes move over larger areas than their prey, they are especially important to these ecosystem functions. Implications. Our novel approach to studying an overlooked aspect of predator ecology is applicable in most terrestrial ecosystems. Similar modelling approaches could also be employed to understand the dispersal potential of both primary and secondary spore dispersers globally. Because this study highlights an unrecognised ecosystem service provided by dingoes, we hope that it will stimulate research to develop a more comprehensive understanding of other apex predators' ecosystem functions.

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Wildlife Research, v.51, p. 1-9
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 1448-5494
1035-3712
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 3103 Ecology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: tbd
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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