Intraspecific killing behaviour of canids: how dingoes kill dingoes

Intraspecific conflict is an important process structuring carnivore populations. However, few data are available describing the precise mode of killing used by carnivores, especially medium-sized carnivores that can exhibit behaviours typically associated with either smaller or larger species. From records of free-ranging Australian dingoes killed during intraspecific fighting, we describe the types, location and frequency of injuries sustained, to assist in identifying killing behaviours common to medium-sized carnivores, or mesopredators. Observed injuries included superficial minor cuts and other wounds, deep punctures (bite marks or holes), severe lacerations to internal organs, tissue bruising and crushing, mutilation of muscle tissue, perforation of the chest and abdominal cavities, and a variety of bone fractures. The dingoes in this study predominately died from gross internal haemorrhaging caused by crushing bites coupled with vigorous shaking to the head, throat, neck and ventral chest areas. Our data demonstrate that dingoes used a ‘bite and shake’ mode of killing. This killing behaviour is dissimilar to those exhibited by large carnivores, but is consistent with behaviours shown by other medium-sized carnivores.种内冲突是塑造食肉动物种群结构的关键过程。然而，目前鲜有研究数据能够阐明食肉动物所采用的精准杀戮模式，尤其是那些兼具小型与大型食肉动物典型行为特征的中型食肉动物。本研究基于对野外自由活动的澳洲野犬（Australian dingo）在种内打斗中死亡的相关记录，对其遭受损伤的类型、部位与发生频率进行了系统描述，旨在助力识别中型捕食者（mesopredator）共有的杀戮行为模式。本次研究观测到的损伤类型涵盖浅表轻微划伤与其他创口、深层穿刺伤（咬痕或孔洞）、内脏严重撕裂伤、组织挫伤与压伤、肌肉组织毁损、胸腔与腹腔穿孔，以及多种类型的骨折。本研究中的澳洲野犬主要因头部、喉部、颈部及胸前腹区域遭受咬合压迫并伴随剧烈甩动，引发大面积内出血而死亡。本研究数据表明，澳洲野犬采用‘咬合并甩动’的杀戮模式。该杀戮行为模式与大型食肉动物的行为存在差异，但与其他中型食肉动物的行为表现高度一致。