The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Kathleen A. Alexander - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Association with humans and seasonality interact to reverse predictions for animal space use
    Movement Ecology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Peter N Laver, Kathleen A. Alexander
    Abstract:

    Background Variation 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. Methods In 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. Results Results 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. Conclusions In 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.

  • pathology of the emerging mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen mycobacterium mungi in the banded Mongoose mungos mungo
    Veterinary Pathology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kathleen A. Alexander, Mark C. Williams, Claire E. Sanderson, Peter N Laver, Carly Kanipe, Mitchell V. Palmer
    Abstract:

    Wild banded Mongooses ( Mungos mungo) in northeastern Botswana and northwest Zimbabwe are infected with a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) pathogen, Mycobacterium mungi. We evaluated gross and histologic lesions in 62 infected Mongooses (1999-2017). Many tissues contained multifocal irregular, lymphohistiocytic to granulomatous infiltrates and/or multifocal or coalescing noncaseating to caseating granulomas with variable numbers of intralesional acid-fast bacilli. Over one-third of nasal turbinates examined had submucosal lymphohistiocytic to granulomatous infiltrates, erosion and ulceration of the nasal mucosa, bony remodeling, and nasal distortion. Similar inflammatory cell infiltrates expanded the dermis of the nasal planum with frequent ulceration. However, even in cases with intact epidermis, acid-fast bacilli were present in variable numbers among dermal infiltrates and on the epidermal surface among desquamated cells and debris, most commonly in small crevices or folds. In general, tissue involvement varied among cases but was highest in lymph nodes (50/54, 93%), liver (39/53, 74%), spleen (37/51, 73%), and anal glands/sacs (6/8, 75%). Pulmonary lesions were present in 67% of sampled Mongooses (35/52) but only in advanced disseminated disease. The pathological presentation of M. mungi in the banded Mongoose is consistent with pathogen shedding occurring through scent-marking behaviors (urine and anal gland secretions) with new infections arising from contact with these contaminated olfactory secretions and percutaneous movement of the pathogen through breaks in the skin, nasal planum, and/or skin of the snout. Given the character and distribution of lesions and the presence of intracellular acid-fast bacilli, we hypothesize that pathogen spread occurs within the body through a hematogenous and/or lymphatic route. Features of prototypical granulomas such as multinucleated giant cells and peripheral fibrosis were rarely present in affected Mongooses. Acid-fast bacilli were consistently found intracellularly, even in regions of necrosis. The Mongoose genome has a unique deletion (RD1mon) that includes part of the encoding region for PPE68 (Rv3873), a gene co-operonic with PE35. These proteins can influence the host's cellular immune response to mycobacterial infections, and it remains uncertain how this deletion might contribute to observed patterns of pathology. M. mungi infection in banded Mongooses is characterized by both a unique transmission and exposure route, as well as accompanying pathological features, providing an opportunity to increase our understanding of MTC pathogenesis across host-pathogen systems.

  • do not feed the wildlife associations between garbage use aggression and disease in banded Mongooses mungos mungo
    Ecology and Evolution, 2016
    Co-Authors: Bonnie Fairbanks Flint, Dana M. Hawley, Kathleen A. Alexander
    Abstract:

    Urbanization and other human modifications of the landscape may indirectly affect disease dynamics by altering host behavior in ways that influence pathogen transmission. Few opportunities arise to investigate behaviorally mediated effects of human habitat modification in natural host-pathogen systems, but we provide a potential example of this phenomenon in banded Mongooses (Mungos mungo), a social mammal. Our banded Mongoose study population in Botswana is endemically infected with a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen, M. mungi, that primarily invades the Mongoose host through the nasal planum and breaks in the skin. In this system, several study troops have access to human garbage sites and other modified landscapes for foraging. Banded Mongooses in our study site (N = 4 troops, ~130 individuals) had significantly higher within-troop aggression levels when foraging in garbage compared to other foraging habitats. Second, monthly rates of aggression were a significant predictor of monthly number of injuries in troops. Finally, injured individuals had a 75% incidence of clinical tuberculosis (TB) compared to a 0% incidence in visibly uninjured Mongooses during the study period. Our data suggest that Mongoose troops that forage in garbage may be at greater risk of acquiring TB by incurring injuries that may allow for pathogen invasion. Our study suggests the need to consider the indirect effects of garbage on behavior and wildlife health when developing waste management approaches in human-modified areas.

  • emerging tuberculosis pathogen hijacks social communication behavior in the group living banded Mongoose mungos mungo
    Mbio, 2016
    Co-Authors: Kathleen A. Alexander, Mark C. Williams, Claire E. Sanderson, Michelle H. Larsen, Suelee Robbeausterman, Mitchell V. Palmer
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACT An emerging Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) pathogen, M. mungi , infects wild banded Mongooses ( Mungos mungo ) in Northern Botswana, causing significant mortality. This MTC pathogen did not appear to be transmitted through a primary aerosol or oral route. We utilized histopathology, spoligotyping, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and molecular markers (regions of difference [RDs] from various MTC members, including region of difference 1 [RD1] from M. bovis BCG [RD1 BCG ], M. microti [RD1 mic ], and M. pinnipedii [RD1 seal ], genes Rv1510 [RD4], Rv1970 [RD7], Rv3877/8 [RD1], and Rv3120 [RD12], insertion element IS 1561 , the 16S RNA gene, and gene Rv0577 [ cfp32 ]), including the newly characterized Mongoose-specific deletion in RD1 (RD1 mon ), in order to demonstrate the presence of M. mungi DNA in infected Mongooses and investigate pathogen invasion and exposure mechanisms. M. mungi DNA was identified in 29% of nasal planum samples ( n = 52), 56% of nasal rinses and swabs ( n = 9), 53% of oral swabs ( n = 19), 22% of urine samples ( n = 23), 33% of anal gland tissue ( n = 18), and 39% of anal gland secretions ( n = 44). The occurrence of extremely low cycle threshold values obtained with qPCR in anal gland and nasal planum samples indicates that high levels of M. mungi can be found in these tissue types. Histological data were consistent with these results, suggesting that pathogen invasion occurs through breaks in the nasal planum and/or skin of the Mongoose host, which are in frequent contact with anal gland secretions and urine during olfactory communication behavior. Lesions in the lung, when present, occurred only with disseminated disease. No environmental sources of M. mungi DNA could be found. We report primary environmental transmission of an MTC pathogen that occurs in association with social communication behavior. IMPORTANCE Organisms causing infectious disease evolve modes of transmission that exploit environmental and host conditions favoring pathogen spread and persistence. We report a novel mode of environmental infectious disease transmission that occurs in association with olfactory secretions (e.g., urine and anal gland secretions), allowing pathogen exposure to occur within and between social groups through intricate social communication behaviors of the banded Mongoose host. The presence of M. mungi in these environmentally deposited secretions would effectively circumvent natural social barriers (e.g., territoriality), facilitating between-group pathogen transmission in the absence of direct physical contact, a rare occurrence in this highly territorial species. This work identifies an important potential mechanism of pathogen transmission of epidemiological significance in social species. We also provide evidence of a novel mechanism of pathogen transmission for the MTC complex, where pathogen movement in the environment and host exposure dynamics are driven by social behavior.

  • Emerging Tuberculosis Pathogen Hijacks Social Communication Behavior in the Group-Living Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo)
    American Society for Microbiology, 2016
    Co-Authors: Kathleen A. Alexander, Mark C. Williams, Claire E. Sanderson, Michelle H. Larsen, Suelee Robbe-austerman, Mitchell V. Palmer
    Abstract:

    An emerging Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) pathogen, M. mungi, infects wild banded Mongooses (Mungos mungo) in Northern Botswana, causing significant mortality. This MTC pathogen did not appear to be transmitted through a primary aerosol or oral route. We utilized histopathology, spoligotyping, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and molecular markers (regions of difference [RDs] from various MTC members, including region of difference 1 [RD1] from M. bovis BCG [RD1BCG], M. microti [RD1mic], and M. pinnipedii [RD1seal], genes Rv1510 [RD4], Rv1970 [RD7], Rv3877/8 [RD1], and Rv3120 [RD12], insertion element IS1561, the 16S RNA gene, and gene Rv0577 [cfp32]), including the newly characterized Mongoose-specific deletion in RD1 (RD1mon), in order to demonstrate the presence of M. mungi DNA in infected Mongooses and investigate pathogen invasion and exposure mechanisms. M. mungi DNA was identified in 29% of nasal planum samples (n = 52), 56% of nasal rinses and swabs (n = 9), 53% of oral swabs (n = 19), 22% of urine samples (n = 23), 33% of anal gland tissue (n = 18), and 39% of anal gland secretions (n = 44). The occurrence of extremely low cycle threshold values obtained with qPCR in anal gland and nasal planum samples indicates that high levels of M. mungi can be found in these tissue types. Histological data were consistent with these results, suggesting that pathogen invasion occurs through breaks in the nasal planum and/or skin of the Mongoose host, which are in frequent contact with anal gland secretions and urine during olfactory communication behavior. Lesions in the lung, when present, occurred only with disseminated disease. No environmental sources of M. mungi DNA could be found. We report primary environmental transmission of an MTC pathogen that occurs in association with social communication behavior

Arijana Barun - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • possible character displacement of an introduced Mongoose and native marten on adriatic islands croatia
    Journal of Biogeography, 2015
    Co-Authors: Daniel Simberloff, Arijana Barun, Nikola Tvrtkovic, Shai Meiri, Zoran Tadic
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACT Aim Character displacement and release can occur quickly in novel environ-ments and communities. Species introductions are ‘natural experiments’ inwhich evolutionary changes can be studied as community composition varies.We asked whether morphologies of the introduced small Indian Mongoose(Herpestes auropunctatus) and the larger native stone marten (Martes foina) onAdriatic islands where they are sympatric or allopatric are consistent withhypotheses of character displacement and release, respectively.Location The Mongoose is native to Asia and has been introduced to over 60islands. We measured specimens from several island groups and the nativeregion. The marten is native to Eurasia and several European islands, and wehave measurements throughout most of its native range.Methods We measured skull length and the maximum diameter of the uppercanine tooth in both species on Adriatic islands and compared these traits withthose in other sites.Results The Mongoose has smaller canines and skulls on the three Adriaticislands it co-occupies with the marten compared with other islands of intro-duction, consistent with the hypothesis of character displacement. It is not lar-ger on the Adriatic island where it is the sole carnivore than on other Adriaticislands, which contradicts the hypothesis of character release. Marten skulls areshorter on three islands with no Mongooses than on one island where theMongoose is present, consistent with the hypothesis of character release. How-ever, marten canine diameters are similar across Adriatic islands.Main conclusions On Adriatic islands, interspecific competition between theMongoose and the marten is most likely what maintains small size in the mon-goose and prevents the character release observed on other islands of introduc-tion lacking mammalian competitors. The marten may have undergonecharacter displacement because of the Mongoose introduction on at least oneAdriatic island and possibly all three islands where the species co-occur.KeywordsAdriatic islands, body size, character release, co-existence, competition,Herpestes auropunctatus, insular carnivores, mammals, Martes foina, sexualdimorphism

  • impact of the introduced small indian Mongoose herpestes auropunctatus on abundance and activity time of the introduced ship rat rattus rattus and the small mammal community on adriatic islands croatia
    NeoBiota, 2011
    Co-Authors: Arijana Barun, Daniel Simberloff, Nikola Tvrtkovic, Michel Pascal
    Abstract:

    The small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) is one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species (IUCN 2000). It has negative impacts on several small mammals on islands where it was introduced. We assess the abundance of small mammal populations and the activity time of introduced ship rats (Rattus rattus) on three Mongoose-infested and three Mongoose-free islands in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia. We set up three transects on each island with a trapping system consisting of 30 small live traps to capture small mammals under 30 grams and 30 larger traps to capture ship rats and Mongooses, on each transect. Our results support an already large but mostly speculative literature that suggests inability of the small Indian Mongoose to reduce high abundances of introduced R. rattus. Further, we suggest that the low abundance of native small mammals is probably not solely caused by the Mongoose but also by high R. rattus populations on all six islands. In addition, we provide evidence that R. rattus has changed its activity time to become more nocturnal on Mongoose-infested islands, possibly to avoid predation by the Mongoose. As R. rattus became more nocturnal, the diurnal Mongoose may have become the main predator on amphibians, reptiles, and poultry.

  • a review of small indian Mongoose management and eradications on islands
    Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival CommissionOccasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, 2011
    Co-Authors: Arijana Barun, C C Hanson, K J Campell, Daniel Simberloff
    Abstract:

    The small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) is one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. It is a generalist feeder blamed for many declines and extirpations of vertebrates on islands. Native to Asia, it has been introduced to at least 64 islands (Pacifi c and Indian Oceans, Caribbean and Adriatic Seas) and the mainland (Europe, South America, Australia and North America). Most introductions were in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to control rats in sugar cane fi elds, but also to control snakes. Although recent Mongoose introductions are few, the risk of intentional or accidental spread remains high, and many island taxa are susceptible to their effects. The Mongoose has been eradicated from at least six islands (≤115 ha: Buck, Fajou, Leduck, Praslin, Codrington and Green) by trapping and secondary poisoning, but eradication has proven challenging. Two earlier island eradication campaigns against Mongoose failed on Buck (182 ha) and Pineros (390 ha) and campaigns are currently underway on the large islands of Amami-Oshima and northern Okinawa. Attempts to control the Mongoose were numerous in the past, and several programmes are underway using trapping and/or poisoning. New techniques are being developed and show promise for eradication. The Mongoose can be eradicated with current approaches on small islands with the aim of benefi ting endemic species or preventing further introductions. More effi cient methods and strategies are needed for successful eradication on larger islands and may facilitate containment of Mongoose on the European and South American mainlands.

  • impact of the small indian Mongoose on native amphibians and reptiles of the adriatic islands croatia
    Animal Conservation, 2010
    Co-Authors: Arijana Barun, Daniel Simberloff, I Budinski
    Abstract:

    We studied impacts of the introduced small Indian Mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus on the herpetofauna on six islands in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, comparing abundances of reptiles and amphibians on three islands with the Mongoose to those on three islands without the Mongoose. We used four types of sampling surveys: distance-constrained surveys, visual encounter surveys, special searches and accidental trapping. The horned viper Vipera ammodytes and Balkan green

Luis Miguel Rosalino - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the gut microbiota of the egyptian Mongoose as an early warning indicator of ecosystem health in portugal
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
    Co-Authors: Mónica V. Cunha, Victor Bandeira, Carlos Fonseca, Teresa Albuquerque, Patricia Themudo, Luis Miguel Rosalino
    Abstract:

    The Egyptian Mongoose is a carnivore mammal species that in the last decades experienced a tremendous expansion in Iberia, particularly in Portugal, mainly due to its remarkable ecological plasticity in response to land-use changes. However, this species may have a disruptive role on native communities in areas where it has recently arrived due to predation and the potential introduction of novel pathogens. We report reference information on the cultivable gut microbial landscape of widely distributed Egyptian Mongoose populations (Herpestes ichneumon, n = 53) and related antimicrobial tolerance across environmental gradients. The panel of isolated species is consistent with the typical protein-based diet of a carnivore: Firmicutes predominate (89% of individuals), while Clostridiales, Enterobacteriales, and Lactobacillales are the major classes. Forty-one individuals (77.4%) harbour Clostridium spp. A spatial influence on Mongooses' microbiota is confirmed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis, with a significant contribution of municipality to their microbiota composition. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Mongoose commensal bacteria to 28 compounds evidences xenobiotic tolerance of Escherichia coli (E. coli), enterococci, Salmonella Spartel and Mbandaka serotypes and Pseudomonas bacteria, among others. The common isolation of antimicrobial tolerant microbiota from the Mongoose's gut suggests this species is exposed to anthropogenic influence and is affected by forestry and agricultural-related practices, reflecting its easy adaptation to ecological gradients across agroecosystems. We thus propose regular microbial and phenotypic resistance profiling of widely distributed Mongooses as a sentinel tool for xenobiotics' lifecycle and ecosystem health in Portugal.

  • snapshot of viral infections in wild carnivores reveals ubiquity of parvovirus and susceptibility of egyptian Mongoose to feline panleukopenia virus
    PLOS ONE, 2013
    Co-Authors: Margarida Duarte, Ana Margarida Henriques, Sı́lvia Carla Barros, Teresa Fagulha, Madalena Monteiro, Miguel Fevereiro, Mafalda P. Basto, Paula Mendonca, Paulo De Tarso Camillo De Carvalho, Luis Miguel Rosalino
    Abstract:

    The exposure of wild carnivores to viral pathogens, with emphasis on parvovirus (CPV/FPLV), was assessed based on the molecular screening of tissue samples from 128 hunted or accidentally road-killed animals collected in Portugal from 2008 to 2011, including Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon, n = 99), red fox (Vulpes vulpes, n = 19), stone marten (Martes foina, n = 3), common genet (Genetta genetta, n = 3) and Eurasian badger (Meles meles, n = 4). A high prevalence of parvovirus DNA (63%) was detected among all surveyed species, particularly in Mongooses (58%) and red foxes (79%), along with the presence of CPV/FPLV circulating antibodies that were identified in 90% of a subset of parvovirus-DNA positive samples. Most specimens were extensively autolysed, restricting macro and microscopic investigations for lesion evaluation. Whenever possible to examine, signs of active disease were not present, supporting the hypothesis that the parvovirus vp2 gene fragments detected by real-time PCR possibly correspond to viral DNA reminiscent from previous infections. The molecular characterization of viruses, based on the analysis of the complete or partial sequence of the vp2 gene, allowed typifying three viral strains of Mongoose and four red fox’s as feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) and one stone marten’s as newCPV-2b type. The genetic similarity found between the FPLV viruses from free-ranging and captive wild species originated in Portugal and publicly available comparable sequences, suggests a closer genetic relatedness among FPLV circulating in Portugal. Although the clinical and epidemiological significance of infection could not be established, this study evidences that exposure of sympatric wild carnivores to parvovirus is common and geographically widespread, potentially carrying a risk to susceptible populations at the wildlife-domestic interface and to threatened species, such as the wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus).

Geraldine Veron - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Javan Mongoose or small Indian Mongoose-who is where?
    Mammalian Biology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Geraldine Veron, Andrew P Jennings
    Abstract:

    The Javan Mongoose Urva javanica and the small Indian Mongoose Urva auropunctata have been recently shown not to be conspecific. However, the limits of their respective distribution ranges have not been fully defined. In particular, Chinese populations were not attributed to either species using molecular data. Furthermore, the small Mongooses found on Hong Kong Island (discovered at the end of the 1980s) were not clearly attributed to U. auropunctata or U.javanica , nor their status (native or introduced) established. The main aims of this study were to: (1) investigate the intraspecific genetic diversity and structure within these two species; and (2) clarify the distribution limits of U. auropunctata and U.javanica , and in particular, to identify Chinese populations, and determine which species occurs on Hong Kong Island (and whether they are native or introduced). The analyses of one nuclear and three mitochondrial genes confirmed the separation of U. javanica and U. auropunctata , and showed that the populations from southern China and Hong Kong Island belong to U. javanica . The intraspecific geographical structure of the two species is clarified, and the taxonomic implications are discussed. In particular, we found a strong divergence of Javan individuals of U.javanica , which should be considered a separate subspecies.

  • systematics of the southeast asian Mongooses herpestidae carnivora solving the mystery of the elusive collared Mongoose and palawan Mongoose
    Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015
    Co-Authors: Geraldine Veron, Marielilith Patou, Regis Debruyne, Arnaud Couloux, Desamarie Antonette P Fernandez, Siew Te Wong, Jerome Fuchs, Andrew P Jennings
    Abstract:

    Although recent molecular studies have clarified the phylogeny of Mongooses, the systematics of the Southeast Asian species was incomplete as the collared Mongoose Urva semitorquata and some debatable taxa (Hose's Mongoose, Palawan Mongoose) were missing in the analyses. We sequenced three mitochondrial (cytochrome b, ND2, control region) and one nuclear (beta-fibrinogen intron 7) fragments of the Southeast Asian Mongooses to clarify the systematic position of the different species and populations occurring in this region. Our results showed that the collared Mongoose is closely related to the crab-eating Mongoose Urva urva, these two species forming a sister-group to the short-tailed Mongoose Urva brachyura. Despite Sumatran collared Mongooses having a peculiar orange phenotype, we showed that they exhibited very little genetic divergence to individuals from Borneo. In contrast, the populations of the short-tailed Mongoose from Borneo were strongly divergent to those from Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, and these might represent separate species. Within the crab-eating Mongoose, we observed little geographical genetic structure. Our study suggests that Hose's Mongoose is not a valid species. The Palawan Mongooses did not cluster with the other populations of the short-tailed Mongoose; they were closer to the collared Mongoose and should be included in this species. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London

  • molecular phylogeny of the herpestidae mammalia carnivora with a special emphasis on the asian herpestes
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2009
    Co-Authors: Marielilith Patou, Arnaud Couloux, Andrew P Jennings, Patricia A Mclenachan, Craig Morley, Geraldine Veron
    Abstract:

    Until now, phylogenetic studies of the Mongooses (Carnivora, Herpestidae) have not included an exhaustive sampling of the Asian members of this family. In this study, we used mitochondrial (Cytochrome b and ND2), nuclear (β-fibrinogen intron 7 and Transthyretin intron 1) sequences from almost all of the recognized Mongoose species to produce a well-resolved phylogeny of the Herpestidae. We also performed molecular dating analyses to infer divergence dates of the different lineages within the Herpestidae. Our results confirmed the paraphyly of the Herpestes genus and other phylogenetic relationships, which previously had only been moderately supported. The Asian herpestid species were found to form a monophyletic group within the Herpestidae. Within the Asian species, a cyto-nuclear conflict was discovered between the small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), the Indian gray Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) and the Javan Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), which may have occurred through interspecific hybridization. This study inferred an Early Miocene origin for the Herpestidae and a Middle Miocene origin for the Asian Mongooses.

  • systematic status and biogeography of the javan and small indian Mongooses herpestidae carnivora
    Zoologica Scripta, 2007
    Co-Authors: Geraldine Veron, Marielilith Patou, Geraldine Pothet, Daniel Simberloff, Andrew P Jennings
    Abstract:

    1Veron, G., Patou, M.-L., Pothet, G., Simberloff, D. & Jennings, A. P. (2007). Systematicstatus and biogeography of the Javan and small Indian Mongooses (Herpestidae, Carnivora).— Zoologica Scripta, 36, 1–10.The Javan and small Indian Mongooses, ranging from the Middle East to South-east Asia,are considered as two species or as a single species, varying in size and colour from west toeast. In order to clarify their systematic status and to define the limits of their ranges,Cytochrome b sequences were obtained from 27 specimens, and localities of 392 specimensfrom museum collections were determined. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that theJavan and Small Indian Mongooses grouped in two separate clades with their range limitslocated in Myanmar. The Javan Mongoose is in fact closer to the grey Mongoose than to thesmall Indian Mongoose.

  • molecular systematics and origin of sociality in Mongooses herpestidae carnivora
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2004
    Co-Authors: Geraldine Veron, Marc Colyn, Amy E Dunham, Peter J Taylor, Philippe Gaubert
    Abstract:

    The Herpestidae are small terrestrial carnivores comprising 18 African and Asian genera, currently split into two subfamilies, the Herpestinae and the Galidiinae. The aim of this work was to resolve intra-familial relationships and to test the origin of sociality in the group. For this purpose we analysed sequences of the complete cytochrome b gene for 18 species of Herpestidae. The results showed that the Mongooses were split into three clades: (1) the Malagasy taxa (Galidiinae and Cryptoprocta), (2) the true social Mongooses and (3) the solitary Mongooses, each group being also supported by morphological and chromosomal data. Our results suggested unexpected phylogenetic relationships: (1) the genus Cynictis is included in the solitary Mongoose clade, (2) the genera Liberiictis and Mungos are sister-group, and (3) the genus Herpestes is polyphyletic. We examined the evolution of the sociality in Mongooses by combining behavioural traits with the cytochrome b data. Some of the behavioural traits provided good synapomorphies for characterizing the social species clade, showing the potential benefit of using such characters in phylogeny. The mapping of ecological and behavioural features resulted in hypothesizing solitary behavior and life in forest as the conditions at the base of the Mongoose clade.

Marta B. Manser - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • wild dwarf Mongooses produce general alert and predator specific alarm calls
    Behavioral Ecology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Katie Collier, Andrew N Radford, Simon W Townsend, Marta B. Manser
    Abstract:

    Many species produce alarm calls in response to predator threats. Whilst these can be general alert calls, some are urgency-based, indicating perceived threat level, some are predator-specific, indicating the predator type present, and some encode information about both urgency level and predator type. Predator-specific calls given to a narrow range of stimuli and which elicit a specific, adaptive, response from the receiver are termed functionally referential. Differing escape strategies, habitat structural complexity and sociality may favor the evolution of functionally referential calls. A study of one captive group of dwarf 3 Mongooses (Helogale parvula) suggested their alarm calls could transmit information about species, distance and elevation of predators. Using recordings of natural predator encounters, predator presentations and audio playbacks, we investigated the alarm-call system in seven wild dwarf Mongoose groups. We recorded 11 different alarm-call types given to nine stimulus categories. Of the five commonly emitted alarm-call types, three appeared to be non-specific and two predator-specific, given to aerial and terrestrial predators respectively. The remaining six call types were rarely produced. Furthermore, aerial alarms were given to a narrower range of stimuli than their terrestrial alarm calls, which were given to both visible terrestrial predators and secondary cues of predators. Unlike other Mongoose species, dwarf Mongoose seem to use the same alarm-call type for both physically present terrestrial predators and secondary cues of their presence. We argue that detailed knowledge of species’ alarm-call systems under natural conditions can shed light on the evolutionary emergence of different types of alarm calls.

  • Vocal Complexity in Meerkats and Other Mongoose Species
    Advances in the Study of Behavior, 2014
    Co-Authors: Marta B. Manser, Beke Graw, David A. W. A. M. Jansen, Linda I. Hollén, Christophe A. H. Bousquet, Roman D. Furrer, Aliza Le Roux
    Abstract:

    Complex societies are suggested to generate complex communication. However, tests of this hypothesis rarely go beyond a superficial examination of social and communicative complexity. For a systematic approach, we first have to define what we mean by complexity. What defines social complexity, and what defines communicative complexity? What aspects of social complexity correlate with what aspects of communicative complexity? We reviewed the hypotheses put forward for the evolution of the diverse vocal communicative repertoires and variation within meerkats and four other Mongoose species. The obligate group living species, meerkats, dwarf Mongoose, and banded Mongoose, in comparison to the solitary slender Mongoose and the facultative social yellow Mongoose show a wider variation in signal use. However, group size within the social Mongoose species does not correlate to vocal repertoire size and is rather explained by differences in their social organization and also by the ecology of the species. For example, meerkats and dwarf Mongoose seem to have evolved vocal systems based on many discrete call types, while banded Mongoose show a more graded system with fewer call types, though the amount of information conveyed to receivers may be the same in both cases. The comparison of vocal complexity in the different Mongoose species emphasizes the importance of identifying correlations of communicative variation with specific social contexts and taking the ecology of a species into account. Ultimately, the function of signals has to be considered from both the producer and receiver side, and in the natural habitat of a species, if we are ever to understand what explains the variation, complexity, as well as potential limitations in animal communication.

  • Testing for vocal individual discrimination in adult banded Mongooses
    Journal of Zoology, 2013
    Co-Authors: D. A W A M Jansen, Michael A Cant, Marta B. Manser
    Abstract:

    The ability to individually recognize conspecifics is acknowledged as one of the prerequisites for the development of sophisticated social relationships in group-living species. It has been hypothesized that the discrimination of individual identities is crucial for the maintenance of social relationships and cooperation based on repeated interactions, and for the evolution of many social behaviours. Previous studies have shown that the close calls of the cooperatively breeding banded Mongoose Mungos mungo are individually distinct. For instance, banded Mongoose pups are able to distinguish between close calls of their escort and of a non-escort. In this study, we used playbacks based on the recently proposed violation-of-expectation paradigm and a dominance/age class recognition setup to investigate whether adult banded Mongooses use the individual signature of close calls to distinguish among adult group members. We found no evidence that the individual signature in close calls is used to discriminate identity in banded Mongooses. Based on the previous work, we suggest that this is not because banded Mongooses are incapable of using signatures as a means of individual discrimination, but because the benefits of such discrimination are low. The study highlights the importance of understanding the function of a signal (e.g. the expected response), timing and the biology of the species when designing and performing playback experiments.

  • The audience effect in a facultatively social mammal, the yellow Mongoose, Cynictis penicillata
    Animal Behaviour, 2008
    Co-Authors: Aliza Le Roux, Michael I. Cherry, Marta B. Manser
    Abstract:

    The audience effect has been shown in numerous group-living vertebrates but whether it is present in facultatively social species is unknown. We investigated the antipredator responses of the yellow Mongoose, a mammal that dens in groups but primarily forages alone. To examine the effect that the social environment has on their communication, we performed a combination of field observations and experiments with live and model predators on a habituated population of Mongooses. Social context affected both the communicative and the flight behaviour of yellow Mongooses. Alarm vocalizations were used almost exclusively when individuals were in a group rather than solitary. The visual alarm signal, a raised tail, was predominantly used by solitary individuals when predators were outside attack range. This study apparently is the first to show an audience effect in a facultatively social mammal, suggesting that even rare social interactions lead to the ability to respond flexibly to predators depending on the presence or absence of conspecifics.