Variables influencing warthog occupancy, focusing on the presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a possible keystone supporting burrowing species

The dataset underpinned a study titled "Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species". The study investigated the dynamics of warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy across two diverse properties. Warthog are a common mammal species prevalent across diverse landscapes in Africa. Moreover, warthog are carriers of African swine fever, posing a threat to swine biosecurity. The primary objective of the study was to determine the variables influencing warthog occupancy, focusing on the presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a possible keystone due to its facilitative capabilities supporting burrowing species. The findings provide a foundation for future studies aiming to map potential warthog distribution based on influential covariates. Hypothesis considered a range of factors such as the presence of aardvark, the presence of predators, vegetation type, soil composition, distance to perennial water sources, proximity to roads, distance to the nearest 10 trees (tree cover at site level), and camera efficiency, was tested using occupancy modelling with camera trap data from Atherstone Private Game Reserve and Mountain Zebra National Park. The results revealed that warthog occupancy is positively influenced by the presence of aardvark and camera efficiency, while it is negatively influenced by the presence of predators (lion, Panthera leo and leopard, Panthera pardus), increased distance to perennial water sources, and shorter average distance to the nearest ten trees (potentially linked to vegetation structure/type). These covariates also impacted the detection probability of warthog at both study sites, highlighting the complexity of the factors influencing their occupancy.