Characteristics of banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) den sites across the human-wildlife interface in Northern Botswana

Abstract

Denning behavior is a critical life history attribute for many mammalian species and can be impacted by urbanization, affecting species’ reproductive success and survival in these landscapes. One significant factor that is influenced by this behavior is the spread of disease. Banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) in Northern Botswana are often infected with a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen, M. mungi, that is transmitted through olfactory communication networks that allow the pathogen to move through the population by both direct and environmental transmission routes. We have studied characteristics of active banded mongoose den sites across 24 troops and 308 den sites in Northern Botswana (348 den nights from 2008 to 2010 and 281 den nights from 2016–2017). Dens were located across the human-wildlife interface (national park, lodge, urban, residential, and undeveloped). Cluster analysis and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis of the den sites identified differences in den site characteristics across the land area designations. Habitat was the most important factor for den sites located at lodges, associated with the presence of gallery forest and teak woodlands. Distance to the nearest tar road was the most important variable separating the dens in the National Park from those in human-transformed landscapes. Den type was the most predictive of den sites located in human-modified environments. Sites that had the longest use were dominantly anthropogenic in nature (94% ± 6%, n = 67, used in 2008–2010 and 2016–2017). Natural dens, in contrast, appeared to be more vulnerable to destruction, shortening the period of structural soundness and use. Although banded mongoose are territorial, den use by troops other than the resident troop was observed, but only for anthropogenic dens sites (6%, n = 308). These space-sharing behaviors can significantly impact pathogen transmission dynamics and disease spread. Anthropogenic landscapes can have a critical influence on animal behavior and space use, potentially influencing infectious disease exposure and transmission potential.