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The research
was initiated in collaboration of Native Dog Conservation Society
who were partners in a research grant funded by ARC 1998-2000.
Aims of project
Develop methods of distinguishing between dingoes and dingo/dog hybrids
based on genetics (DNA).
Results of the project.
Tests have been developed that can identify most hybrids.
Twenty different DNA tests have been chosen where dogs are generally
quite different from dingoes. Identification of these dog types in
any of the 20 tests for a sample suggests it has dog ancestry and
may be a hybrid.
A score has been developed to encompass all tests in one number.
A group of dingoes in captivity have been used as a reference to determine
the normal range. Samples giving results outside the range are considered
hybrids.
Can animals be tested
for dingo purity?
Samples can be sent to UNSW for testing. A contribution to the research
of $50 per sample is requested on provision of results.
Samples take at least 6 weeks to process. Testing material can be
blood (~1 ml in EDTA tube), tissue or mouth swab. Swabs are available
from UNSW. [Blood currently gives better results]
What information needs
to be supplied with the sample?
What is being tested.
Tests involve DNA fingerprinting or microsatellites which are like
tests used in forensics for identification and paternity testing.
Will the test detect
all hybrids?
Tests will detect most hybrids. The smaller the amount of dog ancestry
the harder it is to detect. By chance some hybrids may have not
inherited any of the genes tested from dog ancestor. More tests
would have more power to detect but involve more work and cost.
Can a pure dingo fail
the test and appear to be hybrid?
We are confident that the procedure gives reliable results. Samples
may show rare types not seen in many dingoes and not in reference
group, and produce a score just below the normal range. Laboratory
errors are a rare possibility and retesting is recommended for any
animal that failed the test but was important in a breeding program.
Where have samples
come from so far.
We have over 2000 samples. A number of dingoes in captivity have
been tested and most are passing test of purity. Samples from the
wild a mainly from NSW through Wild Dog Control Program (Dave Jenkins),
Rural Lands Protection Boards, NSW Forestry etc Other locations
with considerable sample numbers are Victoria, Southwest Queensland,
Townsville, Fraser Island, Pilbarra, Alice Springs.
What is the future
of testing?
New technology will make it possible to test very small amounts
of DNA. This will allow testing of teeth/bones to compare DNA testing
to skull testing.
Testing of faeces or hair, so collection can be done in wild without
capturing or harming animals.
Testing of ancient material from pre-European times to compare to
reference group.
Other results of research.
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Few
pure dingoes are left in wild, especially on east coast. In collaboration
with NPWS maps showing location and purity of wild dogs are being
produced.
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Nearly
all samples from Fraser Island test as pure. (retesting exception)
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Dingoes
are closely related to dogs of South East Asian,
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Dingoes
have been in Australia about 5000 years.
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New
Guinea Singing Dogs are also very similar genetically to dingoes
and different from dogs.
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