Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) abundance and spatial ecology in a degraded dry dipterocarp forest

Southeast Asia is rich in small carnivore species, but baseline information on these species is frequently
lacking. Many of the region’s remaining forests are degraded, which can drastically change ecosystem function
and structure. The Javan mongoose is a small generalist carnivore with a wide distribution across Southeast Asia,
whose population, home-range size, and micro-habitat selection are poorly known. We investigated each within
a degraded forest fragment in Northeast Thailand using a multimethod approach involving camera trap and radio
telemetry data. We found mongoose abundance was positively associated with dry dipterocarp forest (DDF) and
has a negative relationship with basal area of small trees (diameter at breast height < 10 cm). Across our entire
study site, we found a mean abundance of 1.10 animals per sampling station (SE 0.30 95% CI 0.65–1.92) and
within the DDF we found 3.04 animals per station (SE 0.75 95% CI 1.87–4.96). The mean home-range size for
two males was 1.86 km2 and for one female was 0.27 km2. Availability of termite mounds with entry holes was our
top model for den site selection. Prey availability did not affect micro-habitat selection by mongoose, presumably
due to an even distribution of small mammals across the DDF. Mongoose selected for areas with low numbers
of small trees, indicating an avoidance of closed forest environments. Our findings indicate that Javan mongoose
select for open dry forest and can tolerate moderate forest degradation.