Conepatus l. ssp. figginsi (Furnace Canyon Hog-nosed Skunk)

[sebbe67]

Conepatus mesoleucus figginsi Miller 1925.
Journal of Mammalogy 6:50, type from
Furnace Canyon, western Baca County,
Colorado.


Conepatus mesoleucus figginsi.—UNITED
STATES: Colorado: Baca County: Furnace Can-
on (DMNH 1961, 1964, 2246, 2332, 2337,
2338, 2372, 2373, 2376). Oklahoma: Cimarron
County: 3 mi N Black Mesa (OUM uncata-
loged); 2 mi NE base of Black Mesa (ECOSU
416); Kenton (USNM 248214).



Finally, no new specimens of hog-nosed
skunks in Colorado, referred to as C. m.
figginsi and C. m. fremonti, have been col-
lected since 1920 and 1933, respectively
(Armstrong 1972; Miller 1925, 1933; War-
ren 1921). Armstrong (1972) examined
these specimens and suggested that rather
than distinct subspecies they may represent
sex and age variants of the more widely dis-
tributed C. m. mearnsi.

As seen in Fig. 6,
there is no difference between C. leucono-
tus and C. mesoleucus, with only C. chinga
and possibly C. m. figginsi representing
unique lineages relative to the larger clade
containing the remaining taxa from North
America.

. The patterns of mtDNA var-
iation among North American populations
are congruent with detailed morphological
assessment, except that C. m. figginsi
groups separately from the other taxa ex-
amined. Although the small sample sizes
and quality of existing specimens precluded
a detailed analysis of a few subspecies from
Mexico and Colorado, we suggest that, on
the basis of the overall patterns seen in the
taxa that were examined, it is unlikely that
these subspecies are morphologically dis-
tinct. However, we do withhold a decision
on C. m. telmalestes and C. m. fremonti un-
til genetic data can be obtained. In all like-
lihood, the 2 Colorado subspecies, C. m.
figginsi and C. m. fremonti, are genetically
similar.

However, there are 2 pop-
ulations (C. l. telmalestes and C. l. figginsi)
on the periphery of the range that could
warrant unique management strategies. In
this regard, we conservatively recommend
that only 3 subspecies (C. l. leuconotus, C.
l. telmalestes, and C. l. figginsi) be main-
tained.


TAXONOMIC STATUS OF WHITE-BACKED HOG-NOSED SKUNKS,
GENUS CONEPATUS (CARNIVORA: MEPHITIDAE)

[sebbe67]

In the case of C. l. figginsi and C. l. telmalestes, further genetic
research may indicate that these taxa are not valid, but the populations that they represent
(if not extinct) will require different management strategies from the wide-ranging C. l.
leuconotus.

[another specialist]

C. m. figginsi Miller, 1925
Conepatus mesoleucus figginsi Miller, 1925; Journ. Mamm., 6 (1): 50, TL: Furnace Canyon, western Baca Co., Colorado
Conepatus mesoleucus figginsi ; [LNAM], 761 ?Colorado

C. m. fremonti Miller, 1933
Conepatus mesoleucus fremonti Miller, 1933; Proc. Colorado Mus. Nat. Hist., 12: 1, TL: Garden Park, near Canyon City, Fremont Co., Colorado
Conepatus mesoleucus fremonti ; [LNAM], 761 ?Colorado

www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/mammalia/carnivora/mustelidae/conepatus/index.html

[another specialist]

Common Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus, C. l. figginsi) Recommendation Rationale: R2 Sensitive SpeciesC. l. figginsi is an endemic to southeastern Colorado and the extreme western panhandle of Oklahoma (Cimmaron County). The next nearest known hognose skunk populations are in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico. Prior to the discovery of a skull in the Wet Mountains west of Pueblo, Colorado in 2000, only 8 specimens from the 1920’s were known from Colorado (Fremont, El Paso, and Baca counties). Dragoo and Honeycut 1995 and Fitzgerald et al 1994 state than the subspecies has not been documented since the 1920’s or 1930’s. Therefore, it is uncertain as to whether the subspecies still exists. However, the skull (no mandible) found in 2000 still had all upper teeth in place and retained tissue fragments on the inside of the cranial cavity. This seems to indicate that the skull may be only a few years old. That also is the opinion of N. Ryke and M Mellaci (USDA, Forest Service, PSICC). We requested and received an age estimate from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where the skull has been deposited for curation. It is their opinion that based on skull color, tightness of skull sutures, and the retention of tissue on the inside of the skull, that it is likely less than ten years old. The location of this find is approximately 3 miles southwest of Greenwood in Custer County, on the east flank of the Wet Mountains in the San Isabel NationalForest. Rick Kahn (CDOW) also has a non-verified report of a hognose skunk trapped north of this site in adjacent Fremont County within the last few years. Because of the indemnity of the subspecies to southeastern Colorado and the Oklahoma panhandle, recent (though limited) evidence of possible persistence, the presence of this evidence on NFS lands, and its obvious rarity, the species appears to be well justified for Regional sensitive species status. There is insufficient information available to document population trend of this subspecies. Habitats, however, may be declining due to alteration of and development in shrublands and pinyon juniper woodlands along the Front Range. Certain management activities, including type conversion, fire and use of pesticides, may have the potential to negatively affect this subspecies. Because figginsi is the only subspecies found in R2, recommend the entire species for R2 sensitive species status, recognizing only the PSICC is affected. (Note: Originally, the apparent Fremont/El Paso and Baca County populations were considered distinct subspecies. Dragoo and Honeycut 1995, however, determined that they should be lumped as C. l. figginsi.

Revised on January 13, 2003 by Gary Patton

www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/evalrationale/rationales/mammals/commonhognosedskunk.pdf

[another specialist]

Taxonomic Comments: Conepatus leuconotus and C. mesoleucus formerly were regarded as distinct species (Jones et al. 1992; Wozencraft, in Wilson and Reeder 1993). Dragoo et al. (2003) examined morphological and molecular characters of Conepatus skunks and determined that (1) C. mesoleucus is not a species distinct from C. leuconotus , (2) Conepatus subspecies texensis, mearnsi, mesoleucus , nelsoni, venaticus, nicaraguae, sonoriensis, and filipensis should be lumped as C. leuconotus leuconotus , (3) subspecies figginsi and fremonti should be lumped as C. l. figginsi, and (4) C. mesoleucus telmalestes should be regarded as C. leuconotus telmalestes. They suggested that further genetic research may indicate that figginsi and telmalestes are not a valid taxa but that the populations they represent (if not extinct) will require different management strategies from the wide-ranging C. l. leuconotus.

Based on patterns of mtDNA variation in Mustelidae, Dragoo and Honeycut (1997) recommended that skunks (Mephitis, Conepatus, Spilogale) and the Oriental stink badger (Mydaus) be separated as a distinct family (Mephitidae).

www.natureserve.org/infonatura/servlet/InfoNatura?searchName=Conepatus+leuconotus

[another specialist]

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF WHITE-BACKED HOG-NOSED SKUNKS,

GENUS CONEPATUS (CARNIVORA: MEPHITIDAE)

www.msb.unm.edu/mammals/publications/Dragoo2003.pdf

[another specialist]

Comments on Distribution

NEW MEXICO
Hog-nosed skunks occur in southern New Mexico from creosote desert to at
least pine-oak forest, where we saw signs of their activity on Animas Peak,
Hidalgo County. They are most common in warm woodland, grassland, and
desert. Though Barber (1902) took a specimen on the west side of the Sandia
mountains prior to 1902, none have been seen in Bernalillo County in the
intervening years *12*.

Records of occurrence: Gila National Forest, Diamond Creek, 2 (USNM) *12*.

Hognosed skunk is found in the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge *14*.

Hognosed skunk is possibly found (hypothetical distribution only) in the
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Hypothetical, within range and
habitat, probably inhabits arid brushy areas in arroyos of the refuge *15*.

Hognosed skunk is found in the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge *16*.

Hog-nosed skunk is rare in the White Sands National Monument. They frequent
both marginal and interior dunes *28*.

Additional road kill/observation survey data (from 9/91 to 5/92; not from
the museum collections) include records from Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and
Torrance counties (Thompson, et al., 1992)*29*.

This species is cited in northwestern Texas and so straddles the Texas/New
Mexico border *30*.

A hog-nosed skunk was observed dead on Interstate Highway 25 near San Acacia
exit, Socorro County, NM (T1S, R1W) by Charlie Painter, Herpetologist,
Endangered Species Program, NM Department of Game and Fish on 11 Sept. 1995
(Painter, 1995) *34*.

Hog-nosed Skunk museum specimens in the University of New Mexico collections
-- acquired from the Museum of Southwestern Biology -- represent Hidalgo
(MSB #46327), Sierra (MSB #37672), and Socorro (MSB #37680) counties
(Thompson, et al., 1992)*38*.

Findley et al. (1975:315) reported two localities of record for this species
in Catron Co. including, "Dry Creek" and "Gila National Forest, Diamond
Creek." Within the Negrito watershed this species may occur and should be
sought in Mixed Woodland near Negrito Creek (Frey, 1995) *42*.

1995: Hog-nosed skunks are an uncommon species in Gila National Forest (USDA
Forest Service, 1995) *56*.

1996: The Hog-nosed skunk is uncommon within the White Sands Missile Range
(Burkett and Kamees, 1996) *40*.

1996: The Hog-nosed skunk approaches the northern limit of its range in the
San Andres Mountains. Several have been seen in Bear Canyon where they
excavate under old corral posts in search of insect larvae (Weisenberger,
1996) *54*.

ARIZONA
Found in southeastern Arizona north to the Mogolons and northwestward to the
Hualapai Mountains, infrequently to the north of the Mogollons as near
Flagstaff *21*.

OKLAHOMA
Conepatus mesoleucus occurs in Oklahoma *37*.


fwie.fw.vt.edu/states/nmex_main/species/050735.htm

[ucucha]

I think this tread should be moved - skunks aren't rodents, after all. They're a family of carnivorans.

[Melanie]

Yes you are right. Moved to carnivores

[another specialist]

I definately agree with you both aswell.

[another specialist]

links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-2372(192502)6%3A1%3C50%3AANHS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E

[Melanie]

from Colorado and New Mexico. Last seen in 1933

www.jstor.org/pss/1373470

[Melanie]

Still valid according HMW 1

[Melanie]

www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/americanhognosedskunk.pdf

[another specialist]

Thanks for confirmation Melanie but where did the original thread go? It's vanished?

[surroundx]

Jan 26, 2010 19:12:26 GMT another specialist said:

Thanks for confirmation Melanie but where did the original thread go? It's vanished?

It is currently placed in the endangered mammals board, but obviously should be merged with this one:

extinctanimals.proboards.com/thread/13535/conepatus-leuconotus-figginsi

[surroundx]

Original description of Conepatus mesoleucus fremonti, now considered a synonym of C. leuconotus figginsi (Dragoo & Sheffield, 2009):

Miller, Frederic W. (1933). Two new Colorado mammals. Proceedings of the Colorado Museum of Natural History 12(1): 1-2, 2 tabs.

Reference:

Dragoo, Jerry W. and Sheffield, Steven R. (2009). Conepatus leuconotus (Carnivora: Mephitidae). Mammalian Species 827: 1-8.