Developing objective tools to study rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) behaviour in the field

Abstract

Animal behaviour research seeks methodological rigor and consistency within and across studies, yet maintaining shared standards requires continual evaluation. The rock hyrax ( Procavia capensis ) is a social mammal whose behaviour has been widely studied, but no standardized methodological ethogram currently exists for this species. Here, we developed an ethogram for the rock hyrax using a procedure designed to produce objective and reproducible behavioural classifications. We observed and filmed four groups of rock hyrax using focal animal sampling and constructed the ethogram based on two organizational rules: the level of behavioural description and the behavioural units. We identified 42 distinct behaviours and grouped them into six behavioural categories based on context. This grouping was statistically validated using correspondence analysis, multidimensional unfolding, and a cluster variables algorithm. In addition, we performed a biological validation by comparing seasonal behavioural patterns with those reported in previous studies of this system. The resulting ethogram, together with its validated behavioural categories, provides a standardized framework that can improve objectivity and consistency in future studies of rock hyrax behaviour. The approach described here is broadly applicable to other species and may facilitate comparative research across taxa.