On the origin of the Egyptian mongoose in the Iberian Peninsula: is there room for reasonable doubt?

Abstract

The Egyptian mongoose is a carnivore distributed in Africa, Middle East and Iberian Peninsula (IP). The species has always been considered exotic in the IP, with its presence attributed to Man as a consequence of the Muslim Occupations. This view is still not consensual. Genetic studies suggested that the species may have naturally dispersed to Iberia during Late Pleistocene, by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. Recent studies concluded that the species was previously introduced by the Romans, but did not naturally disperse millennia before. The ongoing discussion about the origin of Egyptian mongoose in Europe implies that both theses—natural dispersion and anthropogenic introduction—are mutually exclusive, which we argue may not be the case. Considering that there are still gaps about the species’ origin, we attempted to review the current state of knowledge on the species origin in the IP, discuss the arguments in favor and against of all hypotheses and suggest future research to clarify them. Instead of refuting any of the assumptions on the species’ origin in Europe, we hypothesize the merge of all hypotheses. Archaeological findings coupled with historical records and genetic evidences push further the hypothesis of multiple introductions of the species from Pre-historical Periods, to Classical Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. We consider there is room to question the species’ exotic nature in the IP, thus its status should be reviewed. Nevertheless, further studies are needed for a more consistent assessment of the origin and status of the Egyptian mongoose in the IP.