The dingo (Canis familiaris) as a secondary disperser of mycorrhizal fungal spores
Todd F. Elliott
A * , C. E. Timothy Paine A , Guy-Anthony Ballard A B , Heath Milne A , Josh Van der Eyk A , Kelsey Elliott C , Paul Meek A D , Jeremy J. Bruhl E and Karl Vernes A
A Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Biosecurity NSW, NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of New England, PO Box U86, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
C Integrative Studies Department, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC 28778, USA.
D Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Corner Gordon and Hood Street, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.
E Botany, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
Abstract
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.
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.
To answer this 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.
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.
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.
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.
Keywords: canids, carnivore ecology, diplochory, free-ranging dog, fungal ecology, mycophagy, mycorrhizae, predator ecology, spore dispersal.
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