PARENT SESSION

Natural History 1 -- Session Chair: Patrick Zollner-- Nelson Hall East, Goodwin Forum

ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF WESTERN SPOTTED SKUNK AND STRIPED SKUNK IN WEST-CENTRAL TEXAS. Sean A. Neiswenter and Robert C. Dowler. Dept. of Bioogy, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, USA.

ABSTRACT- Ecological data for Spilogale gracilis (western spotted skunk) and Mephitis mephitis (striped skunk) in Texas are lacking. The objectives of this study were to document and compare home range and activity patterns of these two species. Sixteen radio-collared skunks (7 Mephitis mephitis and 9 Spilogale gracilis) were tracked between May 2003 and February 2004. Skunks were primarily nocturnal and occasionally interrupted nightly activity to rest. Home range was assessed using the adaptive kernal and minimum convex polygon methods. Preliminary summer data suggested average striped skunk home range size was twice as large as the average spotted skunk home range. Female home ranges were overlapped by more than one male. Up to 100% interspecific and intraspecific overlap of home ranges was observed. Further analysis and ecological implications will be discussed.

KEY WORDS: Mephitis mephitis , activity patterns, Spilogale gracilis, home range