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Data from: The effect of simulated intergroup encounters on movement patterns and home range use in banded mongooses

Preston, Elizabeth12; Kyabulima, Solomon3; Croft, Darren2; Cant, Michael2

Research facility: Banded Mongoose Research Project, Mweya Peninsula Uganda
Published Mar 27, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1zcrjdg7g

Data files

Mar 27, 2026 version files 8.65 MB

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Abstract

Intergroup conflicts have a wide range of impacts, including affecting movement and ranging patterns. Previous studies found contrasting movement responses to intergroup conflicts, but no explanation for these differences has been suggested. However, these can be broadly grouped into “conflict avoidance” responses: avoiding areas close to the fight, and “defence” responses: “patrolling” and using the edges of the group’s territory. We experimentally simulated intergroup encounters in banded mongoose groups to assess whether mongooses respond to intergroup encounters by avoiding conflict or investing in defence. We measured movement characteristics, path characteristics in the core vs periphery of the home range, and changes to home range use. We found that mongooses spend more time in the core during the day after presentations, and after presentations, groups moved further and faster when in the periphery. However, these effects were similar in both control and experimental trials, potentially because control stimuli were also perceived as threats by the mongooses. Overall, our results suggest that our presentation of stimuli affects the use of the home range over a single day, but not in the next seven days, suggesting a limited longer-term impact of conflict on mongoose behaviour. This finding raises questions as to how intergroup conflicts impact social groups in the long term.