The management of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) on Fraser Island presents a serious issue regarding the balance of public safety and world heritage conservation. One of the most important and least understood aspects of this issue is the availability of prey and prey species relations with the dingo diet. This relationship is the focal point of this research. To assess prey availability, three forest types were sampled during summer and winter 2005 using live trapping (12 sites) and track counting techniques (24 sites). Population estimations were obtained from statistical models (Nest) when possible, and with indices such as minimum number known to be alive (Ñ) and the Passive Activity Index (PAI). To investigate the diet of the dingo, 126 scats were collected. Prey remains were identified and the diet composition was described using presence-absence and weight of remains methods. The most common species in the study area were pale field rat and bush rat. The activity of rodents was different in the three habitats sampled and in the two seasons. A remarkably higher activity level was recorded for lizards in summer and bandicoots and antechinus in winter. The PAI was calibrated against population estimates for rodents, providing a simple and efficient monitoring tool for use by natural resource managers. A generalist pattern for the diet of Fraser Island dingoes suggested a selective predatory behaviour towards bandicoots, in particular long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta), and prey switching for secondary prey, such as rodents, according to temporal fluctuations in the abundance of these species. Fish and human-sourced food consumption has decreased since the 1990s but they are still an important part of dingo diet. The functional relationship between dingoes and bandicoots approaches to Type II and with rodents approaches Type III. The habitat suitability for dingoes is similar in the three habitats sampled and prey availability is slightly higher in the Tall Wet Forest.
Description
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters of Science by Research, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2006.
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