Social organisation and mating system of the narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata)

在食肉动物中，一些非洲猫鼬（狐獴科）表现出复杂的社会。然而，它们最近的亲戚，马达加斯加特有的Eupleridae的社会系统研究仍然很少。我们的目标是研究窄条纹猫鼬（Mungotictis decemlineata）社会系统的关键方面，以便(1)有助于更广泛地评估食肉动物的社会进化，(2)在这种长期孤立的食肉动物辐射的代表中测试社会生态学理论的预测。坊间证据表明，这种Euplerid猫鼬生活在小群体中（3-5只），并表现出与某些鼠疫科相似的社会模式。我们首次将通过GPS遥测获得的详细空间数据与行为观察和遗传分析相结合，以确定年龄、性别、亲属结构以及空间使用模式等方面的平均群体组成。基于这些数据，我们还将测试有关性别特异性生殖策略的预测，以及种内竞争的本质、关联模式和合作行为。因此，这项研究将补充类似的正在进行的dfg资助的隐procta ferox项目，开始为食肉动物社会进化提供重要的基线数据。

Among carnivores, some African mongooses (Herpestidae) exhibit complex societies. However, the social systems of their closest relatives, the endemic Malagasy Eupleridae, remain poorly studied. We aim to investigate key aspects of the social system of the narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata) in order to (1) contribute to a broader appraisal of carnivore social evolution and to (2) test predictions of socio-ecological theory in this representative of a long isolated carnivore radiation. Anecdotal evidence indicates that this Euplerid mongoose lives in small groups (3-5 individuals) and exhibits social patterns similar to those reported for some Herpestidae. For the first time in M. decemlineata, we aim to combine detailed spatial data obtained via GPS telemetry with behavioural observations and genetic analyses to determine the average group composition in terms of age, sex and kinship structure as well as patterns of space use. Based on these data, we will also test predictions about sex-specific reproductive strategies, as well as the nature of intra-specific competition, association patterns and cooperative behaviour. This study will therefore complement a similar ongoing DFG-funded project on Cryptoprocta ferox to begin contributing important baseline data on carnivore social evolution.