Spilogale angustifrons, Howell, 1902

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2009, Mephitidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 532-562 : 561-562

12.

Southern Spotted Skunk

Spilogale angustifrons

French: Moufette de Howell / German: Sudlicher Fleckenskunk / Spanish: Mofeta meridional

Taxonomy. Spilogale angustifrons Howell, 1902 ,

Tlalpan, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

This skunk has been classified as a subspecies of Spilogale putorius off and on throughout: its taxonomic:: history. Recent chromosomal data have helped to elevate it back to species status. There are five subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

S. a. angustifrons Howell, 1902 — C Mexico (Distrito Federal & C Michoacan).

S. a. celeris Hall, 1938 — highlands of Nicaragua S towards C Costa Rica.

S. a. elata Howell, 1906 — highlands of SE Mexico (Chiapas), Guatemala, El Salvador, and Hounduras.

S. a. tropicalis Howell, 1902 — S Mexico (E Puebla, C Morelos, & C Guerrero, and SE towards Oaxaca and along the Pacific Coast) to E El Salvador.

S. a. yucatanensis Burt, 1938 — Mexico (occurs throughout the Yucatan Peninsula), Belize and N Guatemala.

Descriptive notes. Very few specimens are available for measurements. Head-body 21-25 cm (males) and 20-24 cm (females), tail 10.1-14.5 cm; weight 240-533 g. The color pattern in this speciesis very similar to other species of spotted skunks. They have a white spot between the eyes and a series of six vertical white stripes along the back and sides. The top set of white stripes runs along the middle of the back towards the rear of the animal where they branch off and become horizontal on the hips. The next pair runs from the ears parallel to the top stripes. The third set runs from the forelegs along the side and sometimes joins the horizontal stripes on the hips. The tip (one third of the tail) is white. There is considerable variation in this color pattern. Southern Spotted Skunks have five toes on each foot and long claws. The skull is small and narrow with a highly arched cranium. The rostrum is also narrow. The dental formula for this skunk is: 1 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/3, M 1/2 = 34. This species, like other skunks,is endowed with well- developed scent glands, which can expel a noxious fluid to repel potential predators.

Habitat. These skunks are found in rocky hills with brush and sparse trees, but they also can be found in pine-oak forests at high elevations. They can occur in a variety of habitats such as rainforests, dry thickets, pine forests, and grasslands. They are commonly found in agricultural fields as well. Southern Spotted Skunks have been found from sea level to about 2800 m. They make dens under logs or rocks, in hollow trees, and between the roots of trees and shrubs. They also use dens abandoned by armadillos and other mammals.

Food and Feeding. Like other spotted skunks, Southern Spotted Skunks feed mainly on insects and small mammals. They also will consume amphibians and wild fruit. 50% of their diet consists of invertebrates and the remainder consists of vertebrates and vegetation (including fruits).

Activity patterns. These animals presumably are nocturnal. Like the other skunks they are equipped with anal scent glands that can be used in defense. Southern Spotted Skunks probably have very similar activity patterns to Eastern and Western Spotted Skunks.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home ranges for this species have been estimated at about 64 hectares. In areas where they are common they have been reported in densities of 5-8 individuals per square kilometer.

Breeding. The breeding season in this species has not been studied. Because Eastern and Western Spotted Skunks have different periods of delayed implantation, the breeding season in this species would be an interesting study.

Status and Conservation. Notlisted in CITES. Classified as Least Concern in The [UCN Red List. This species is just recently being recognized by taxonomists and is therefore not likely to have been considered for special conservation status. However,it is reported that where they do occur they are common. This species has been reported with antibodies to rabies, parvovirus, and toxoplasma.

Bibliography. Baker & Baker (1975), Ceballos & Oliva (2005), Cervantes et al. (2002), Hall (1938), Hall & Kelson (1952, 1959), Howell (1902, 1906), Kinlaw (1995), Owen et al. (1996), Reid (1997), Suzan & Ceballos (2005), Van Gelder (1959), Verts et al. (2001).

Figures

1. Sunda Stink Badger (Mydaus javanensis), 2. Palawan Stink Badger (Mydaus marchei), 3. American Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus), 4. Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus chinga), 5. Striped Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus semistriatus), 6. Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus humboldti), 7. Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura), 8. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephatis), 9. Pygmy Spotted Skunk (Spilogale pygmaea), 10. Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius), 11. Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis), 12. Southern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale angustifrons)

Subspecies and Distribution. S. a. angustifrons Howell, 1902 — C Mexico (Distrito Federal & C Michoacan). S. a. celeris Hall, 1938 — highlands of Nicaragua S towards C Costa Rica . S. a. elata Howell, 1906 — highlands of SE Mexico (Chiapas), Guatemala , El Salvador , and Hounduras. S. a. tropicalis Howell, 1902 — S Mexico (E Puebla, C Morelos, & C Guerrero, and SE towards Oaxaca and along the Pacific Coast) to E El Salvador . S. a. yucatanensis Burt, 1938 — Mexico (occurs throughout the Yucatan Peninsula), Belize and N Guatemala .