As clear as mud: A critical review of evidence for the ecological roles of Australian dingoes

摘要: Top-predators have been reported to an important role in structuring food webs and maintaining ecological processes for the benefit of biodiversity at lower trophic levels. This is thought be achieved through their suppressive effects on sympatric mesopredators prey. Great scientific public interest surrounds potential use top-predators as conservation tools, it can often difficult separate what we think know really about utility. Not all claims made roles substantiated by current evidence. We review methodology underpinning empirical data Australian dingoes (Canis lupus dingo hybrids) provide a comprehensive objective benchmark knowledge Australia’s largest terrestrial predator. From wide variety methodological flaws, sampling bias, experimental design constraints inherent 38 40 field studies assessed, demonstrate that there presently unreliable inconclusive evidence dingoes’ regulator. also discuss widespread (both taxonomically geographically) direct negative native fauna, few robust investigating positive roles. In light highly variable context-specific impacts faunal state literature, strongly caution against management absence supporting evidence-base such action.