Following The Trail: Factors Underlying the Sudden Expansion of the Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) in Portugal

摘要: Species range-limits are influenced by a combination of several factors. In our study we aimed to unveil the drivers underlying expansion Egyptian mongoose in Portugal, carnivore that was confined southern Portugal and largely increased its range during last three decades. We evaluated species periods (1980-1990, 1990-2000 2000-2010), projecting presence/absence data each temporal proposed four hypotheses explain this sudden associated changes barrier effects human infrastructure topographic features, availability suitable areas due climate change or land use. An exploratory analysis made using Spearman rank correlation, followed hierarchical partitioning select uncorrelated potential explanatory variables with different hypotheses. then ran Generalized Linear Models (GLM) for every period hypothesis Our main findings suggest dynamic transitions land-use coupled temperature rainfall variations over decades promoting expansion. The geographic barriers infrastructures functioned as have shaped distribution. across Portuguese territory variety results rapid shift response changes, underlining close link between ranges changing environment.