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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Ecology and Evolution

Interspecific Cohabitation and Associated Zoonotic Risk in the Burrows of Niokolo‐Koba National Park, Senegal

  • Clara Russo1
  • Yves Brostaux2
  • Virginie Daelemans1
  • Simon Lhoest1
  • Johan Michaux3,4
  • Mutien‐Marie Garigliany5
  • Julie Bonnald6
  • Fany Brotcorne7
  • Justine Broers1
  • Eric Heymans8
  • Philippe Taminiaux8
  • Ousmane Alioune Sylla8
3 more authors
  • Mallé Gueye9
  • Paul Moïse Diedhiou10
  • Cédric Vermeulen1
10 affiliations
  1. 1Forest Is Life, Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech University of Liège Gembloux Belgium
  2. 2Applied Statistics, Computer Science and Modeling Laboratory, Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech University of Liège Gembloux Belgium
  3. 3Conservation Genetics Laboratory University of Liège Liège Belgium
  4. 4UMR 117 Animal Health, Territory, Risk and Environment University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE Montpellier France
  5. 5Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, FARAH ‐ CIRM – INDEEP University of Liège Liège Belgium
  6. 6Paris Zoological Park National Museum of Natural History Paris France
  7. 7SPHERES Research Unit, Behaviour Biology Unit, Department of Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, Faculty of Sciences University of Liège Liège Belgium
  8. 8Nioko Lodge Tambacounda Senegal
  9. 9Department of HydroSciences and Environment Iba Der Thiam University of Thiès Thiès Senegal
  10. 10Niokolo‐Koba National Park National Parks Directorate Tambacounda Senegal
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Abstract

In arid and semi‐arid ecosystems, burrows serve as vital sanctuaries providing wildlife shelter, nourishment, and thermal buffering. These benefits attract multiple species into confined spaces, potentially facilitating interspecific pathogen transmission. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of burrow use in Senegal's Niokolo‐Koba National Park, quantifying interspecific cohabitation, identifying influential characteristics, and documenting the potential for zoonotic pathogen transmission. Data were collected during two dry‐season campaigns, which included semi‐opportunistic searches of burrows for camera‐trap monitoring and collection of fecal and tick samples. Cameras detected entering species while samples targeted bacteria with zoonotic potential. Across 1519 camera‐trap days, 32 species were detected using burrows, generating 172 interspecific cohabitations. Each cohabitation represented a species pair entering at least one common entrance during monitoring. An average of 6 different cohabitations per entrance over 20 days was recorded, with a maximum of 5 species visiting the same entrance within 24 h. Occupation occurred in rapid succession rather than simultaneously. Twenty significant preferential cohabitations were identified, ranging from ecological partnerships to predator–prey co‐occurrences. Based on the characteristics recorded for 105 monitored entrances, larger entrance diameter, higher woody cover, and location in valleys were associated with higher cohabitation rates. Pathogen screening detected potential zoonotic bacteria, including Treponema . Ticks were found in half of sampled burrows, with Francisella consistently detected. Results underline the dual ecological and epidemiological roles of burrows, emphasizing the need to integrate One Health considerations into burrow conservation.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{russo2026interspecific,
  title = {{Interspecific Cohabitation and Associated Zoonotic Risk in the Burrows of Niokolo‐Koba National Park, Senegal}},
  author = {Clara Russo and Yves Brostaux and Virginie Daelemans and Simon Lhoest and Johan Michaux and Mutien‐Marie Garigliany and Julie Bonnald and Fany Brotcorne and Justine Broers and Eric Heymans and Philippe Taminiaux and Ousmane Alioune Sylla and Mallé Gueye and Paul Moïse Diedhiou and Cédric Vermeulen},
  journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1002/ece3.74402},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.74402},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Interspecific Cohabitation and Associated Zoonotic Risk in the Burrows of Niokolo‐Koba National Park, Senegal
AU  - Clara Russo
AU  - Yves Brostaux
AU  - Virginie Daelemans
AU  - Simon Lhoest
AU  - Johan Michaux
AU  - Mutien‐Marie Garigliany
AU  - Julie Bonnald
AU  - Fany Brotcorne
AU  - Justine Broers
AU  - Eric Heymans
AU  - Philippe Taminiaux
AU  - Ousmane Alioune Sylla
AU  - Mallé Gueye
AU  - Paul Moïse Diedhiou
AU  - Cédric Vermeulen
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/28
JO  - Ecology and Evolution
DO  - 10.1002/ece3.74402
UR  - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.74402
AB  - In arid and semi‐arid ecosystems, burrows serve as vital sanctuaries providing wildlife shelter, nourishment, and thermal buffering. These benefits attract multiple species into confined spaces, potentially facilitating interspecific pathogen transmission. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of burrow use in Senegal's Niokolo‐Koba National Park, quantifying interspecific cohabitation, identifying influential characteristics, and documenting the potential for zoonotic pathogen transmission. Data were collected during two dry‐season campaigns, which included semi‐opportunistic searches of burrows for camera‐trap monitoring and collection of fecal and tick samples. Cameras detected entering species while samples targeted bacteria with zoonotic potential. Across 1519 camera‐trap days, 32 species were detected using burrows, generating 172 interspecific cohabitations. Each cohabitation represented a species pair entering at least one common entrance during monitoring. An average of 6 different cohabitations per entrance over 20 days was recorded, with a maximum of 5 species visiting the same entrance within 24 h. Occupation occurred in rapid succession rather than simultaneously. Twenty significant preferential cohabitations were identified, ranging from ecological partnerships to predator–prey co‐occurrences. Based on the characteristics recorded for 105 monitored entrances, larger entrance diameter, higher woody cover, and location in valleys were associated with higher cohabitation rates. Pathogen screening detected potential zoonotic bacteria, including Treponema . Ticks were found in half of sampled burrows, with Francisella consistently detected. Results underline the dual ecological and epidemiological roles of burrows, emphasizing the need to integrate One Health considerations into burrow conservation.
SN  - 2045-7758
SN  - 2045-7758
ER  -