Individual-level patterns of resource selection do not predict hotspots
of contact
Abstract
Contact among animals is crucial for various ecological processes,
including social behaviors, disease transmission, and predator-prey
interactions. However, the distribution of contact events across time
and space is heterogeneous, influenced by environmental factors and
biological purposes. Previous studies have assumed that areas with
abundant resources and preferred habitats attract more individuals and,
therefore, lead to more contact. To examine the accuracy of this
assumption, we used a use-available framework to identify landscape
factors influencing contact locations. Our study focused on two wild pig
populations in Florida and Texas, USA. We employed a contact-resource
selection function (RSF) model, where contact locations were defined as
used points and locations without contact as available points. By
comparing the contact RSF with a population-level RSF, we assessed the
factors driving both habitat selection and contact. We found that the
landscape predictors (e.g., wetland, linear features, and food
resources) played different roles in habitat selection and contact
processes for wild pigs in both study areas. This indicates that pigs
interacted with their landscapes differently when choosing habitats
compared to when they encountered other individuals. Consequently,
relying solely on the spatial overlap of individual or population-level
RSF models may lead to a misleading understanding of contact-related
ecology. Our findings challenge prevailing assumptions about contact and
introduce innovative approaches to better understand the ecological
drivers of spatially explicit contact. By accurately predicting the
spatial distribution of contact events, we can enhance our understanding
of ecological processes and their spatial dynamics.