Stuck in the mud: Persistent failure of ‘the science’ to provide reliable information on the ecological roles of Australian dingoes

Article


Castle, Geoff, Kennedy, Malcolm S. and Allen, Benjamin L.. 2023. "Stuck in the mud: Persistent failure of ‘the science’ to provide reliable information on the ecological roles of Australian dingoes." Biological Conservation. 285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110234
Article Title

Stuck in the mud: Persistent failure of ‘the science’ to provide reliable information on the ecological roles of Australian dingoes

ERA Journal ID3211
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsCastle, Geoff, Kennedy, Malcolm S. and Allen, Benjamin L.
Journal TitleBiological Conservation
Journal Citation285
Article Number110234
Number of Pages24
Year2023
PublisherElsevier
Place of PublicationNetherlands
ISSN0006-3207
1873-2917
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110234
Web Address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000632072300335X
AbstractApex predators are believed to play important roles in maintaining the structure and function of ecological systems, but actual evidence for mesopredator releases and trophic cascades in terrestrial systems is mixed and equivocal, largely due to the systemic and continued use of weak-inference or correlative study designs to investigate these hypothesised causal processes. Here we critically review the experimental designs of empirical studies examining relationships between dingoes and mesopredators in Australian ecosystems. We found that 83 % (30 out of 36) of recent study designs lacked one or more of the essential experimental design elements needed to assess causal relationships (such as experimental treatments and controls, treatment replication, and/or treatment randomisation), demonstrating that the inferential strength or reliability of ‘the science’ on this subject remains weak and equivocal. Only five studies published in the last decade (N = 36), and eight in total since 1993 (or 11 %, N = 76), were capable of assessing dingoes' potential causal roles in mesopredator release; and all eight studies consistently demonstrated that dingoes do not supress mesopredators or initiate trophic cascades through mesopredator release effects at a population level, independent of ecological context. Thus, there is a demonstrable absence of evidence and evidence of absence for dingo suppression of mesopredators in Australia. We encourage large carnivore conservation managers and policymakers to base their decisions on the strongest available science. In this way, researchers and managers will have the best chance of conserving these important and valuable species into the future. © 2023 The Authors
KeywordsAppeal to authority; Journal impact factor ; Mesopredator release ; Scientific evidence ; Scientific method ; Strong inference
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020310901. Animal behaviour
Byline AffiliationsInstitute for Life Sciences and the Environment
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland
Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment
Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
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Allen, Benjamin L., Allen, Lee R., Ballard, Guy, Jackson, Stephen M. and Fleming, Peter J. S.. 2017. "A roadmap to meaningful dingo conservation." Canid Biology & Conservation. 20 (11), pp. 45-56.
Large carnivore science: non-experimental studies are useful, but experiments are better
Allen, Benjamin L., Allen, Lee R., Andren, Henrik, Ballard, Guy, Boitani, Luigi, Engeman, Richard M., Fleming, Peter J. S., Ford, Adam T., Haswell, Peter M., Kowalczyk, Rafal, Linnell, John D. C., Mech, L. David and Parker, Daniel M.. 2017. "Large carnivore science: non-experimental studies are useful, but experiments are better." Food Webs. 13, pp. 49-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2017.06.002
Intraspecific killing behaviour of canids: how dingoes kill dingoes
Behrendorff, Linda, Belonje, Grant and Allen, Benjamin L.. 2018. "Intraspecific killing behaviour of canids: how dingoes kill dingoes." Ethology Ecology and Evolution. 30 (1), pp. 88-98. https://doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2017.1316522
Recent invasion of European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on to Fraser Island (K'gari) and South Stradbroke Island
Allen, Benjamin L., Behrendorff, Linda, Willsher, Lyn, Kaluza, Janina and Oakey, Jane. 2017. "Recent invasion of European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on to Fraser Island (K'gari) and South Stradbroke Island." Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere. 42 (7), pp. 752-758. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12494
Anti-predator meshing may provide greater protection for sea turtle nests than predator removal
O'Connor, Julie M., Limpus, Colin J., Hofmeister, Kate M., Allen, Benjamin L. and Burnett, Scott E.. 2017. "Anti-predator meshing may provide greater protection for sea turtle nests than predator removal." PLoS One. 12 (2), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171831
Do female dingo–dog hybrids breed like dingoes or dogs?
Cursino, Marina S., Harriott, Lana, Allen, Benjamin L., Gentle, Matthew and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2017. "Do female dingo–dog hybrids breed like dingoes or dogs?" Australian Journal of Zoology. 65 (2), pp. 112-119. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO17005
Dingoes at the doorstep: home range sizes and activity patterns of dingoes and other wild dogs around urban areas of north-eastern Australia
McNeill, Alice T., Leung, Luke K.-P., Goullet, Mark S., Gentle, Matthew N. and Allen, Benjamin L.. 2016. "Dingoes at the doorstep: home range sizes and activity patterns of dingoes and other wild dogs around urban areas of north-eastern Australia." Animals. 6 (8), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani6080048
Reply to the criticism by Johnson et al. (2014) on the report by Allen et al (2013)
Allen, B. L., Allen, L. R., Engeman, R. M. and Leung, L. K.-P.. 2014. "Reply to the criticism by Johnson et al. (2014) on the report by Allen et al (2013)." Frontiers in Zoology.
The longevity of para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) wild dog baits and the implications for effective and safe baiting campaigns
Gentle, Matthew, Speed, James, Allen, Benjamin L., Harris, Stacy, Haapakoski, Hellen and Bell, Kerry. 2017. "The longevity of para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) wild dog baits and the implications for effective and safe baiting campaigns." Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 24 (13), pp. 12338-12346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8668-3
Dingoes, domestic dogs, or hybrids? Genetics of peri-urban wild dogs in north-eastern Australia
Gentle, Matt, Oakey, Jane, Speed, James, Allen, Ben and Allen, Lee Robert. 2016. "Dingoes, domestic dogs, or hybrids? Genetics of peri-urban wild dogs in north-eastern Australia." 5th Queensland Pest Animal Symposium: Options, Obstacles & Outcomes. Townsville, Australia 07 - 10 Nov 2016 Queensland, Australia.
Skin and bone: observations of dingo scavenging during a chronic food shortage
Allen, Benjamin L.. 2010. "Skin and bone: observations of dingo scavenging during a chronic food shortage." Australian Mammalogy. 32 (2), pp. 207-208. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM10012
The effect of wild dog control on cattle production and biodiversity in the South Australian arid zone
Eldridge, S. R., Bird, P. L., Brook, A., Campbell, G., Miller, H. A., Read, J. L. and Allen, B. L.. 2016. The effect of wild dog control on cattle production and biodiversity in the South Australian arid zone. Port Augusta, South Australia. South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.
From den to dust: longevity of three dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) on Fraser Island (K’gari)
Behrendorff, Linda and Allen, Benjamin L.. 2016. "From den to dust: longevity of three dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) on Fraser Island (K’gari)." Australian Mammalogy. 38 (2), pp. 256-260. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM16005
A comment on the distribution of historical and contemporary livestock grazing across Australia: implications for using dingoes for biodiversity conservation
Allen, Benjamin L.. 2011. "A comment on the distribution of historical and contemporary livestock grazing across Australia: implications for using dingoes for biodiversity conservation." Ecological Management and Restoration. 12 (1), pp. 26-30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2011.00571.x
Additional records of small mammals in northern South Australia
Allen, B., Read, J. L. and Medlin, G.. 2011. "Additional records of small mammals in northern South Australia." Australian Mammalogy. 33 (1), pp. 68-72. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM10032
Wild dogma II: the role and implications of wild dogma for wild dog management in Australia
Allen, Benjamin L., Engeman, Richard M. and Allen, Lee R.. 2011. "Wild dogma II: the role and implications of wild dogma for wild dog management in Australia." Current Zoology. 57 (6), pp. 737-740. https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/57.6.737
Wild dogma: An examination of recent “evidence” for dingo regulation of invasive mesopredator release in Australia
Allen, Benjamin L., Engeman, Richard M. and Allen, Lee R.. 2011. "Wild dogma: An examination of recent “evidence” for dingo regulation of invasive mesopredator release in Australia." Current Zoology. 57 (5), pp. 568-583. https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/57.5.568
Top-predators as biodiversity regulators: contemporary issues affecting knowledge and management of dingoes in Australia
Allen, Benjamin L., Fleming, Peter J. S., Hayward, Matt, Allen, Lee R., Engeman, Richard M., Ballard, Guy and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2012. "Top-predators as biodiversity regulators: contemporary issues affecting knowledge and management of dingoes in Australia." Lameed, Gbolagade Akeem (ed.) Biodiversity enrichment in a diverse world. Rijeka, Croatia. In-Tech. pp. 85-132
Scat happens: spatiotemporal fluctuation in dingo scat collection rates
Allen, Benjamin L.. 2012. "Scat happens: spatiotemporal fluctuation in dingo scat collection rates." Australian Journal of Zoology. 60 (2), pp. 137-140. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO12038
Seven considerations about dingoes as biodiversity engineers: the socioecological niches of dogs in Australia
Fleming, Peter J. S., Allen, Benjamin L. and Ballard, Guy-Anthony. 2012. "Seven considerations about dingoes as biodiversity engineers: the socioecological niches of dogs in Australia." Australian Mammalogy. 34 (1), pp. 119-123. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM11012
Do desert dingoes drink daily? Visitation rates at remote waterpoints in the Strzelecki Desert
Allen, Benjamin L.. 2012. "Do desert dingoes drink daily? Visitation rates at remote waterpoints in the Strzelecki Desert." Australian Mammalogy. 34 (2), pp. 251-256. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12012
Assessing predation risk to threatened fauna from their prevalence in predator scats: dingoes and rodents in arid Australia
Allen, Benjamin L. and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2012. "Assessing predation risk to threatened fauna from their prevalence in predator scats: dingoes and rodents in arid Australia." PLoS One. 7 (5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036426
Reintroducing the dingo: the risk of dingo predation to threatened vertebrates of western New South Wales
Allen, B. L. and Fleming, P. J. S.. 2012. "Reintroducing the dingo: the risk of dingo predation to threatened vertebrates of western New South Wales." Wildlife Research. 39 (1), pp. 35-50. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR11128
The effects of lethal control on the conservation values of Canis lupus dingo
Allen, B. L.. 2012. "The effects of lethal control on the conservation values of Canis lupus dingo." Maia, A. P. and Crussi, H. F. (ed.) Wolves: biology, behavior and conservation. New York, United States. Nova Science Publishers. pp. 79-108
The short-term effects of a routine poisoning campaign on the movements and detectability of a social top-predator
Allen, Benjamin L., Engeman, Richard M. and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2014. "The short-term effects of a routine poisoning campaign on the movements and detectability of a social top-predator." Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 21 (3), pp. 2178-2190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-2118-7
Dingoes at the doorstep: preliminary data on the ecology of dingoes in urban areas
Allen, Benjamin L., Goullet, Mark, Allen, Lee R., Lisle, Allan and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2013. "Dingoes at the doorstep: preliminary data on the ecology of dingoes in urban areas." Landscape and Urban Planning. 119, pp. 131-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.07.008
Intraguild relationships between sympatric predators exposed to lethal control: predator manipulation experiments
Allen, Benjamin L., Allen, Lee R., Engeman, Richard M. and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2013. "Intraguild relationships between sympatric predators exposed to lethal control: predator manipulation experiments." Frontiers in Zoology. 10, pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-9994-10-39
Influence of dingoes on sheep distribution in Australia
Allen, B. L. and West, P.. 2013. "Influence of dingoes on sheep distribution in Australia." Australian Veterinary Journal. 91 (7), pp. 261-267. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12075
The success of GPS collar deployments on mammals in Australia
Matthews, Alison, Ruykys, Laura, Ellis, Bill, FitzGibbon, Sean, Lunney, Daniel, Crowther, Mathew S., Glen, Alistair S., Purcell, Brad, Moseby, Katherine, Stott, Jenny, Fletcher, Don, Wimpenny, Claire, Allen, Benjamin L., Van Bommel, Linda, Roberts, Michael, Davies, Nicole, Green, Ken, Newsome, Thomas, Ballard, Guy, ..., Wiggins, Natasha. 2013. "The success of GPS collar deployments on mammals in Australia." Australian Mammalogy. 35 (1), pp. 65-83. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12021
Cautionary considerations for positive dingo management: a response to the Johnson and Ritchie critique of Fleming et al. (2012)
Fleming, Peter J. S., Allen, Benjamin L. and Ballard, Guy-Anthony. 2013. "Cautionary considerations for positive dingo management: a response to the Johnson and Ritchie critique of Fleming et al. (2012)." Australian Mammalogy. 35 (1), pp. 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12036
As clear as mud: a critical review of evidence for the ecological roles of Australian dingoes
Allen, Benjamin L., Fleming, Peter J. S., Allen, Lee R., Engeman, Richard M., Ballard, Guy and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2013. "As clear as mud: a critical review of evidence for the ecological roles of Australian dingoes." Biological Conservation. 159 (March), pp. 158-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2012.12.004
Sympatric prey responses to lethal top-predator control: predator manipulation experiments
Allen, Benjamin L., Allen, Lee R., Engeman, Richard M. and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2014. "Sympatric prey responses to lethal top-predator control: predator manipulation experiments." Frontiers in Zoology. 11 (1), pp. 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-014-0056-y
Does lethal control of top-predators release mesopredators? A re-evaluation of three Australian case studies
Allen, Benjamin L., Lundie-Jenkins, Geoff, Burrows, Neil D., Engeman, Richard M., Fleming, Peter J. S. and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2014. "Does lethal control of top-predators release mesopredators? A re-evaluation of three Australian case studies." Ecological Management and Restoration. 15 (3), pp. 191-195. https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12118
Management of wild canids in Australia: free-ranging dogs and red foxes
Fleming, Peter J. S., Allen, Ben L., Allen, Lee R., Ballard, Guy A., Bengsen, Andrew, Gentle, Matt, McLeod, Lynette, Meek, Paul and Saunders, Glen. 2014. "Management of wild canids in Australia: free-ranging dogs and red foxes." Glen, A. S. and Dickman, C. R. (ed.) Carnivores of Australia: past, present and future. Australia. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 107-152
Balancing dingo conservation with human safety on Fraser Island: the numerical and demographic effects of humane destruction of dingoes
Allen, B. L., Higginbottom, K., Bracks, J. H., Davies, N. and Baxter, G. S.. 2015. "Balancing dingo conservation with human safety on Fraser Island: the numerical and demographic effects of humane destruction of dingoes." Australasian Journal of Environmental Management. 22 (2), pp. 197-215. https://doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2014.999134
RE: Dingoes are a major causal factor for the decline and distribution of sheep in Australia
Allen, B. L. and West, P.. 2015. "RE: Dingoes are a major causal factor for the decline and distribution of sheep in Australia." Australian Veterinary Journal. 93 (4), pp. 90-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12311
Top-predator control-induced trophic cascades: an alternative hypothesis to the conclusion of Colman et al
Allen, Benjamin L.. 2015. "Top-predator control-induced trophic cascades: an alternative hypothesis to the conclusion of Colman et al." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 282 (1799), pp. 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.1251
More buck for less bang: reconciling competing wildlife management interests in agricultural food webs
Allen, Benjamin L.. 2015. "More buck for less bang: reconciling competing wildlife management interests in agricultural food webs." Food Webs. 2 (1-9), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2014.12.001
Interactions between two naturalised invasive predators in Australia: are feral cats suppressed by dingoes?
Allen, Benjamin L., Allen, Lee R. and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2015. "Interactions between two naturalised invasive predators in Australia: are feral cats suppressed by dingoes?" Biological Invasions. 17 (2), pp. 761-776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-014-0767-1
The distribution and density of water mice (Xeromys myoides) in the Maroochy River of Southeast Queensland, Australia
Kaluza, Janina, Donald, R. Lesley, Gynther, Ian C., Leung, Luke K-P. and Allen, Benjamin L.. 2016. "The distribution and density of water mice (Xeromys myoides) in the Maroochy River of Southeast Queensland, Australia." PLoS One. 11 (1), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0146133
The (non)effects of lethal population control on the diet of Australian dingoes
Allen, Benjamin L. and Leung, Luke K.-P.. 2014. "The (non)effects of lethal population control on the diet of Australian dingoes." PLoS One. 9 (9), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0108251
Diet of dingoes and other wild dogs in peri-urban areas of north-eastern Australia
Allen, Benjamin L., Carmelito, Erin, Amos, Matt, Goullet, Mark S., Allen, Lee R., Speed, James, Gentle, Matt and Leung, Luke -K.-P.. 2016. "Diet of dingoes and other wild dogs in peri-urban areas of north-eastern Australia." Scientific Reports. 6, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23028
Insects for breakfast and whales for dinner: the diet and body condition of dingoes on Fraser Island (K’gari)
Behrendorff, Linda, Leung, Luke K.-P., McKinnon, Allan, Hanger, Jon, Belonje, Grant, Tapply, Jenna, Jones, Darryl and Allen, Benjamin L.. 2016. "Insects for breakfast and whales for dinner: the diet and body condition of dingoes on Fraser Island (K’gari)." Scientific Reports. 6, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23469