Abstract
BackgroundVariation in animal space use reflects fitness trade-offs associated with ecological constraints. Associated theories such as the metabolic theory of ecology and the resource dispersion hypothesis generate predictions about what drives variation in animal space use. But, metabolic theory is usually tested in macro-ecological studies and is seldom invoked explicitly in within-species studies. Full evaluation of the resource dispersion hypothesis requires testing in more species. Neither have been evaluated in the context of anthropogenic landscape change.MethodsIn this study, we used data for banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) in northeastern Botswana, along a gradient of association with humans, to test for effects of space use drivers predicted by these theories. We used Bayesian parameter estimation and inference from linear models to test for seasonal differences in space use metrics and to model seasonal effects of space use drivers.ResultsResults suggest that space use is strongly associated with variation in the level of overlap that mongoose groups have with humans. Seasonality influences this association, reversing seasonal space use predictions historically-accepted by ecologists. We found support for predictions of the metabolic theory when moderated by seasonality, by association with humans and by their interaction. Space use of mongooses living in association with humans was more concentrated in the dry season than the wet season, when historically-accepted ecological theory predicted more dispersed space use. Resource richness factors such as building density were associated with space use only during the dry season. We found negligible support for predictions of the resource dispersion hypothesis in general or for metabolic theory where seasonality and association with humans were not included. For mongooses living in association with humans, space use was not associated with patch dispersion or group size over both seasons.ConclusionsIn our study, living in association with humans influenced space use patterns that diverged from historically-accepted predictions. There is growing need to explicitly incorporate human–animal interactions into ecological theory and research. Our results and methodology may contribute to understanding effects of anthropogenic landscape change on wildlife populations.
Highlights
Variation in animal space use reflects fitness trade-offs associated with ecological constraints
A clear dichotomy existed between the space use of groups living in association with humans and groups living without association with humans
As with many other species [6], much of the previous research on banded mongooses has been conducted at sites with relatively low anthropogenic impact, often in national parks and nature reserves
Summary
Variation in animal space use reflects fitness trade-offs associated with ecological constraints. Given the global scale of anthropogenic impacts, a majority of free-ranging animals are likely already affected by anthropogenic landscape change [3]. During this period of change, free-ranging animals living in association with humans (“synanthropic” animals [4]) have been exposed to evolutionarily-novel costs and benefits associated with the increasing occurrence of anthropogenic resources, in urban landscapes [5]. Much of our body of ecological theory, has been formulated from studies conducted on animals living without human association (“apoanthropic”) or under assumptions of negligible anthropogenic impact [6]. Without a possible re-calibration of our perceptions of animal resources and inclusion in relevant ecological theory we may develop biased inferences about our study systems, leading to suboptimal management and conservation outcomes
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