Genetic sampling identifies canid predators of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in peri-urban areas
Article
| Article Title | Genetic sampling identifies canid predators of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in peri-urban areas | 
|---|---|
| ERA Journal ID | 5968 | 
| Article Category | Article | 
| Authors | Gentle, Matthew, Allen, Benjamin, Oakey, Jane, Speed, James, Harriott, Lana, Loader, Jo, Robbins, Amy, de Villiers, Deidre and Hanger, Jon | 
| Journal Title | Landscape and Urban Planning | 
| Journal Citation | 190, pp. 1-8 | 
| Article Number | 103591 | 
| Number of Pages | 8 | 
| Year | 2019 | 
| Publisher | Elsevier | 
| Place of Publication | Netherlands | 
| ISSN | 0169-2046 | 
| 1872-6062 | |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103591 | 
| Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204618306650 | 
| Abstract | An understanding of the threats to threatened species in urban and peri-urban areas is essential to develop successful management approaches. Dog attacks are considered to be a major contributor to koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) mortalities in peri-urban areas of north-eastern Australia. Predation could be due to either domestic dogs or wild dogs (dingoes and dingo-domestic dog hybrids), gentically-identifiable groups of Canis familiaris. Here, we aimed to use genetic sampling methods to determine or verify the identity, number and successful removal of canid predators of koalas in a peri-urban environment in south-eastern Queensland. Genetic samples were taken from the remains of 12 koalas suspected to have died from predation. Canine genotypes were present on 11 of 12 predated koalas (∼92%) and were from wild dogs, not domestic dogs. Most koalas had only one canine genotype identified, suggesting they were killed by a single dog. Our results show that DNA samples collected from deceased prey species can be used to identify the predator, and distinguish between closely-related species, and hybrids of the two. Genetic methods confirmed the identification of the predator obtained through conventional necropsy and support growing evidence that wild dog predation is a significant cause of koala mortality in this region. Strategies to reduce predation on koalas should therefore focus on reducing the impact of free-ranging wild dog populations. This approach is important to identify and target those canids responsible for predation of threatened prey populations, particularly where multiple predators are present and/or predator removals may be controversial. | 
| Keywords | Canis familiaris; Dingo; DNA; Microsatellite; Urban wildlife; Wild dog | 
| ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410407. Wildlife and habitat management | 
| Funder | Queensland Government | 
| Byline Affiliations | Biosecurity Queensland, Australia | 
| University of Southern Queensland | |
| Endeavour Veterinary Ecology, Australia | 
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/v4162/genetic-sampling-identifies-canid-predators-of-koalas-phascolarctos-cinereus-in-peri-urban-areas
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