Do introduced apex predators suppress introduced mesopredators? A multiscale spatiotemporal study of dingoes and feral cats in Australia suggests not

摘要: Abstract The role of apex predators in structuring ecosystems through the suppression mesopredator activity and abundance is receiving increasing attention, largely due to potential benefits for biodiversity conservation. In Australia, invasive mesopredators such as feral cats (Felis catus) have been identified major contributors Australia's mass mammal extinctions since European arrival. introduced dingo (Canis familiaris) has proposed a novel way suppress impacts cats, however, scientific evidence dingo's suppressive equivocal. We used camera traps investigate whether large predator (dingo) suppresses an established (feral cat) across national park site conserving endangered species, agricultural supporting cattle grazing enterprises. Feral dingoes exhibited marked overlap both temporal spatial activity, indicating coexistence. Some separation was evident at site, this reflected higher diurnal by dingoes, not responsive shift cat activity. Cat times were unrelated presence did differ between areas occupied dingo-free areas. There no excluding from patches either nor there within-night fine-scale spatiotemporal avoidance cats. Species co-occurrence models revealed had negative effect on probability presence. detecting significantly with than areas, while land, detectability without dingoes. Cats remained active, abundant widespread sites, hunting breeding successfully Synthesis applications. Our findings indicate that can coexist apparent or fitness. Proposals reintroduce restore other conserve should be carefully evaluated site-by-site basis, their ability protect species conservation significance will likely context dependent.