In mongoose society, immigrants are a bonus-when given time to settle in

Researchers from the University of Bristol studying wild dwarf mongooses have provided insight into what happens when immigrants join a new group. Researchers from the University of Bristol studying wild dwarf mongooses have provided insight into what happens when immigrants join a new group. The study published today in the journal Current Biology shows that, initially, recent immigrants rarely serve as lookout, which means they provide little information in this context to help the rest of the group. Even when they do act cooperatively, their new groupmates tend to ignore what they have to offer. But, within five months, the new arrivals become fully integrated and valued members within mongoose society. Professor Andy Radford from the School of Biological Sciences , said: "A few months after arriving in a new group, former immigrants are contributing as often as residents and their information is used just as much, but to reach that stage requires a transition period." Lead author Dr Julie Kern added: "That's probably because the dispersal process is tough on individuals. Recent immigrants are typically exhausted and run down, as evidenced by a loss of weight.