Interspecific associations of Cape ground squirrels with two mongoose species: benefit or cost?

    Authors

    J. M. Waterman;J. D. Roth

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol.

    Keywords

    Cynictis pencillatus; mixed-species groups; mutualism; suricate; suricata suricatta; Xerus inauris; yellow mongoose; SURICATA-SURICATTA; XERUS-INAURIS; CYNICTIS-PENICILLATA; ALARM CALLS; POLYSPECIFIC ASSOCIATIONS; SOUTHERN KALAHARI; FEEDING-BEHAVIOR; SCIURIDAE; TAMARINS; RODENTIA; Behavioral Sciences; Ecology; Zoology

    Abstract

    Mixed-species associations have been described in many vertebrate species, but few behavioral studies have investigated associations between species from different mammalian orders. Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) are highly social rodents that inhabit burrows with two species of mongoose, but the benefits of these interspecific associations to ground squirrels remain unresolved. We compared the behavior of squirrels while solitary, with conspecifics, and in the presence of suricates (Suricata suricatta) and yellow mongooses (Cynictis pencillatus). Squirrels spent less time alert and more time feeding when suricates were present, but increased vigilance in the presence of yellow mongooses. In a series of mobbing trials with a puff adder (Bitis arietans), a common predator of all three species, Cape ground squirrels were the most active in mobbing the snake. Our results suggest that Cape ground squirrels benefit from associating with suricates, but not necessarily with yellow mongooses. Both mongoose species benefit from the burrowing activities of the squirrels for thermoregulation and escape from predators, and a suite of other organisms may similarly benefit from the habitat modifications by Cape ground squirrels, suggesting they could be considered ecosystem engineers of the arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa. Thus, the association between Cape ground squirrels and suricates appears mutually beneficial, whereas yellow mongooses may merely be commensals of the squirrels.

    Journal Title

    Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

    Volume

    61

    Issue/Number

    11

    Publication Date

    1-1-2007

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1675

    Last Page

    1683

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000248771300004

    ISSN

    0340-5443

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