Date of Award
Fall 12-16-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Christine Brodsky
Second Advisor
Dr. Andrew George
Third Advisor
Dr. Alicia Mason
Abstract
The plains spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta) has recently been recognized as a distinct species from the eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius). While once abundant across the central and eastern United States, both species have experienced population declines, resulting in their review for listing under the Endangered Species Act (1973). In Kansas, the plains spotted skunk has suffered a particularly dramatic decline, the last detection in the state having occurred in 2020. Additionally, due to the recent taxonomic split, many past studies reporting on S. putorius ecology actually describe findings of two species, potentially complicating our understanding of both species’ habitat needs. We have paired a systematic literature review with a large-scale camera trap survey to determine the ecology and presence of the plains spotted skunk in Kansas. We collected data from 170 papers published on either species and found the majority of the literature focuses on the ecology of S. interrupta and subsequently infers the results apply to both species despite limited evidence to support this extrapolation of interspecies comparison. We also ascertained that the majority of studies conducted for both species are concentrated in just four states within their respective ranges. In the second part of this thesis, we describe a large-scale camera study conducted between February 2022 and June 2023. We surveyed 602 locations across 18 counties in Kansas and we did not detect a spotted skunk. The limited data on the ecology of plains spotted skunk in the literature, compounded with the rapid decline of the species’ population, necessitates immediate conservation action.
Recommended Citation
de la Peña, Jenell, "CHARACTERIZING THE ECOLOGY OF PLAINS (SPILOGALE INTERRUPTA) AND EASTERN (SPILOGALE PUTORIUS) SPOTTED SKUNKS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND POPULATION ASSESSMENT IN KANSAS" (2023). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 468.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/468