Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe
Guided by the Optimum Foraging Theory,the Avoidance Concept, and assuming that the impala Aepyceros melampus melampus defecate purposevely at dung middens, we hypothesized that the impala’s dung midden locations do not: (1) follow complete spatial randomness; (2) cluster along park tracks; and (3) c...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24749508.2023.2178113 |
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| author | Paradzayi Tagwireyi Hardlife Muhoyi Henry Ndaimani Kudzai Shaun Mpakairi |
| author_facet | Paradzayi Tagwireyi Hardlife Muhoyi Henry Ndaimani Kudzai Shaun Mpakairi |
| author_sort | Paradzayi Tagwireyi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Guided by the Optimum Foraging Theory,the Avoidance Concept, and assuming that the impala Aepyceros melampus melampus defecate purposevely at dung middens, we hypothesized that the impala’s dung midden locations do not: (1) follow complete spatial randomness; (2) cluster along park tracks; and (3) cluster along the waterways. Using geolocation data for all impala dung middens in the Mukuvisi Woodland, Zmbabwe, the G(r) function revealed a clustered pattern at 0–100 m. Additionally, the 2nd Order Gcross function showed evidence of spatial aggregation of dung middens to within 25 m of park tracks, but no evidence of spatial aggregation between impala dung middens and waterways. Our findings give insight into possible evolutionary decorum for optimum olfaction, energy-saving, disease,pest avoidance, and contamination avoidance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f18b4f854b242f79d1b91ef41f5fb0b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2474-9508 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f18b4f854b242f79d1b91ef41f5fb0b2025-08-20T03:05:24ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGeology, Ecology, and Landscapes2474-95082025-01-019113414110.1080/24749508.2023.2178113Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, ZimbabweParadzayi Tagwireyi0Hardlife Muhoyi1Henry Ndaimani2Kudzai Shaun Mpakairi3Department of Geography Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation, The University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweDepartment of Geography Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation, The University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweDepartment of Geography Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation, The University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweDepartment of Geography Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation, The University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweGuided by the Optimum Foraging Theory,the Avoidance Concept, and assuming that the impala Aepyceros melampus melampus defecate purposevely at dung middens, we hypothesized that the impala’s dung midden locations do not: (1) follow complete spatial randomness; (2) cluster along park tracks; and (3) cluster along the waterways. Using geolocation data for all impala dung middens in the Mukuvisi Woodland, Zmbabwe, the G(r) function revealed a clustered pattern at 0–100 m. Additionally, the 2nd Order Gcross function showed evidence of spatial aggregation of dung middens to within 25 m of park tracks, but no evidence of spatial aggregation between impala dung middens and waterways. Our findings give insight into possible evolutionary decorum for optimum olfaction, energy-saving, disease,pest avoidance, and contamination avoidance.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24749508.2023.2178113G(r) functionGcross functionmaptoolscomplete spatial randomness |
| spellingShingle | Paradzayi Tagwireyi Hardlife Muhoyi Henry Ndaimani Kudzai Shaun Mpakairi Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes G(r) function Gcross function maptools complete spatial randomness |
| title | Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Decorum in nature: impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | decorum in nature impala aepyceros melampus melampus dung middens follow spatial point patterns in mukuvisi woodland zimbabwe |
| topic | G(r) function Gcross function maptools complete spatial randomness |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24749508.2023.2178113 |
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