AUSTRALIAN DINGO KANGAROO DNA REVEALS THE ORIGINS OF ICONIC WILD DOGS IN THE COUNTRY
Although dingoes are as common in Australia as koalas or kangaroos, surprisingly little is known about their ancestry. Recently, scientists have been able to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the origins of dingoes and gain additional insight into their evolutionary connections to other canines, all thanks to ancient DNA. Even though humans brought dingoes to Australia from Southeast Asia, the animals are still regarded as native to the continent.
As one of Australia's most recognisable animals, dingoes are distinguished by their sandy coats, bushy tails, and erect ears. They also play a significant role in the country's natural and cultural identities. For millennia, Aboriginal and Indigenous cultures have been associated with them, since they are among the few native land mammals on the continent. Regrettably, despite being seen as a non-aggressive species, dingoes have attacked people, pets, and livestock. They are therefore frequently regarded as pests and have been put to death by farmers due to their actions.
On the other hand, new research that was just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences may improve public knowledge of these animals and aid in population conservation. Several myths are also debunked by comparing the DNA from 42 ancient dingo skeletons to DNA from modern dingoes, domestic dogs, wolves, and New Guinea singing dogs.
For example, the study demonstrates that dingoes are a distinct species because, contrary to popular belief, they did not interbreed with domestic dogs in large numbers. According to the study, domestic dogs and modern dingoes have very little genetic heritage in common. Instead, they are descended from prehistoric wolves and dogs from the Tibetan plateau and China. According to the research, dingoes most likely crossed the Pacific Ocean and arrived in Australia between 3,000 and 8,000 years ago. Furthermore, ancient DNA analysis linked modern New Guinea singing dogs—among the rarest wild dogs—and dingoes to a common ancestor.
The study used dingo remains that ranged in age from 400 to over 2,746 years old and were obtained from museums. They were found across the continent, with two distinct regional populations divided along the Great Dividing Range, before they were brought to life in a museum.
It was also found that contrary to popular belief, humans had no effect on the divide between dingo populations in the northwest and the southeast. A 3,500-mile dingo fence was constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to keep dingoes out, and it was believed that this artificial intervention caused the population to split. The study did find, however, that the populations had been split apart for more than 2,000 years. Based on this data, scientists surmise that dingoes migrated to different regions of Australia in two separate events and stayed isolated because of the geography of the continent.
The results of this latest DNA study demonstrate that dingoes are a unique species, which highlights the significance of protecting them. As a result, regulations pertaining to their shooting may alter, and their chances of obtaining special conservation status are increased. Lead author of the study and specialist in ancient DNA from the Queensland University of Technology, Dr. Sally Wasef, tells The Guardian, "We have to respect these ancient remains because they are telling us a story."
To preserve the dingo's special place in the ecosystem and cultural legacy of Australia, it is imperative to comprehend its dual roles as a predator and a symbol of the country's natural and cultural landscape. According to Dr Yassine Souilmi, another lead author from the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA and Environment Institute at the University of Adelaide, "We hope people making decisions about dingoes today now see these amazing animals have been around for a long time and had time to harmonise with the environment."