Indirect commensalism between an introduced apex predator and a native avian predator.

摘要: In ecosystems, some organisms facilitate others indirectly, by interacting with one or more common mediator organisms. Thus, the indirect effects of introducing removing species can be resonant, sometimes leading to successional extinctions. The dingo (Canis dingo) is apex predator in Australian deserts and was introduced continent between 3000 5000 years ago. Dingoes suppress abundances mesopredators, red fox (Vulpes vulpes) feral cat (Felis catus) so doing mitigate small mammal declines wreaked these mesopredators. Given positive association dingoes mammals, we predicted that indirectly a specialised native Barn owl, Tyto alba. We tested our prediction monitoring dingoes, foxes, cats, mammals barn owls investigating owl diets areas where were versus functionally extinct on either side barrier fence (DBF) Strzelecki Desert. Foxes cats less abundant common. Conversely, Owls fed almost exclusively but greater proportion birds invertebrates. findings study provide evidence an may illustrates myriad far-reaching result from suppression.