Dr Kylie Mae Cairns | UNSW Research

My Expertise

I use genomics to study the process and mechanism of genetic admixture between species or populations. I also use genomics to answer applied conservation management questions, especially using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to understand terrestrial ecosystems, the role of predators and for biodiversity monitoring.

I am a leading scientific expert on dingoes, particularly their evolution, origins, identity, hybridisation and conservation. I am joint coordinator of the IUCN Canid Specialist Group's Dingo Working Group and a member of the IUCN Canid Specialist Group's Taxonomy and Nomenclature Working Group.

Keywords

canis dingo

population genetics

biodiversity & conservation

Biography

I am an early career researcher specialising in molecular biology and conservation genetics. My undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (PhD) training was completed at the University of New South Wales. Between 2012 and 2014, I managed a genetic testing service to estimate domestic dog introgression in dingoes, after being trained by the late A/Prof Alan Wilton. In 2019, I started working at the Centre for Ecosystem Science as a postdoctoral researcher. This has enabled me to start an independent research project continuing and developing my PhD studies on biogeographic variation in dingoes. Together with Professor Mike Letnic and A/Prof Mathew Crowther (USyd), partnering with the Australian Dingo Foundation, we are investigating the utility of next-generation SNP technology to estimate genetic admixture in dingoes. This data has driven research into important scientific questions concerning the origin, biogeography and conservation of dingoes but serves as a model for the process of genetic admixture. This work is driving changes in public conservation and management policy regarding dingoes across Australia with new genomic data demonstrating dingoes rarely interbreed with domestic dogs. Research is ongoing on this subject with projects focusing on whole genomes and genome-wide genotyping of samples collected across Australia.

New research in the emerging field of environmental DNA (eDNA) uses metabarcoding of predator scats to undertake biodiversity monitoring, assess predation risk for priority species and better understand the ecological profiles of native versus introduced predators in Australian ecosystems. A key part of this research involves partnering with Indigenous organisations and citizen scientists, combining western science with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). I have active projects in the Blue Mountains / Southern Highlands and Mid-North Coast of NSW.

I am actively involved in scientific communication, to disseminate the findings of research about dingoes to the public and stakeholders. I am a scientific advisor to the New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation and Australian Dingo Foundation. I am also a board member of the the Paddy Pallin Foundation and serve as co-chair of the IUCN Canid Specialist Group 'Dingo Working Group'.

My Grants

My research has been funded by donations from conservation organisations such as the Australian Dingo Foundation and Save the Fraser Island Dingoes Inc. Donations to support our ongoing research can be made via https://alumni.unsw.edu.au/giving/SCI/DingoGenetics.

Environmental DNA research is supported by grants from the NSW Government, NSW NPWS and Mid-Coast Council.

My Research Activities

I am carrying out a citizen science project using DNA testing of dingoes and wild canids in Australia to investigate the occurrence of dingo x dog hybridisation and the evolutionary history of dingoes. To contribute samples to the research please email me (k.cairns@unsw.edu.au). Samples can come from wild rescue dingoes, roadkill or animals killed as part of wild dog management activities. I also DNA test captive dingoes used in conservation breeding programs. If you are a landholder, wildlife manager, local government or conservation group that wishes to carry out DNA testing on a larger set of samples to inform management and conservation practices please get in contact directly, I frequently consult on this type of project and am open to future collaborations.

Donations towards my research can be made at https://alumni.unsw.edu.au/giving/SCI/DingoGenetics.

Project updates can be see on Facebook by following @DingoGeneticsResearch.

My broad research interests include using genetics and genomics to investigate patterns of diversity, adaption, evolutionary history and demography. My primary focus currently is the use of genomics to inform conservation and management practices of wild animals, particularly those where genetic admixture is a concern. I also use genomic tools (eDNA metabarcoding) to understand the ecological profiles of predators in terrestrial ecosystems and as a biodiversity monitoring tool.