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High Ambient Temperatures Are Associated With Reduced Foraging Capacity in an Equatorial Mammal, the Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo)
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Onismus Bwambale,
Francis Mwanguhya,
Megan Nicholl,
Michael A. Cant ,
Hazel Nichols
Ecology and Evolution, Volume: 15, Issue: 8, Start page: e71872
Swansea University Authors:
Monil Khera, Kevin Arbuckle , Megan Nicholl, Hazel Nichols
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DOI (Published version): 10.1002/ece3.71872
Abstract
Due to anthropogenic climate change, there is substantial interest in how temperature variation impacts reproduction and survival in animal populations; however, the underlying mechanisms are often poorly understood. Animals often behaviourally thermoregulate under high ambient temperatures (Tas) to...
| Published in: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| ISSN: | 2045-7758 2045-7758 |
| Published: |
Wiley
2025
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69986 |
| Abstract: |
Due to anthropogenic climate change, there is substantial interest in how temperature variation impacts reproduction and survival in animal populations; however, the underlying mechanisms are often poorly understood. Animals often behaviourally thermoregulate under high ambient temperatures (Tas) to avoid their body temperatures rising, for instance, becoming less active and resting in shade. However, this can trade off with performing vital activities, including foraging, reproduction and social behaviours. We studied a Ugandan population of banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) to investigate how changing temperatures impact behaviour. We found that banded mongooses reduce activity under high Tas, such that foraging opportunities, in particular, are constrained. This may explain why previous studies on this species have found that offspring care is reduced under high Tas, resulting in lower pup weight and survival, as adults may struggle to meet their daily food requirements and therefore prioritise their own survival over helping to raise pups. As global temperatures continue to increase, lowland equatorial species (which are already subject to high Tas) may struggle to both behaviourally thermoregulate and maintain energy intake through foraging. Our study highlights the importance of fine-scale quantification of behaviours in wild systems for understanding the mechanisms underlying the impact of changing environmental conditions on natural populations. |
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| Keywords: |
banded mongoose; climate change; equatorial; foraging; thermoregulation |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
This work was supported by the European Research Council (grant reference: 309249) and by Swansea University. |
| Issue: |
8 |
| Start Page: |
e71872 |