Spatial organization of Molina’s hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga) in two landscapes of the Pampas grassland of Argentina

Abstract

We radio-tracked 16 individuals (6 males, 10 females) of the little known Molina’s hog-nosed skunk ( Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782)) and compared home-range dynamics, movement rates, and densities between a protected area and a landscape fragmented by agriculture. The mean home-range size (95% fixed kernel) was 166.7 ha (SD = 107.5 ha), without significant differences between areas. Home-range size varied significantly between males (mean = 243.7 ha, SD = 76.5 ha) and females (mean = 120.4 ha, SD =77.6 ha). Overlap between home range and core area was extensive between and within sexes in the protected area and more limited in the cropland area. Mean distance traveled between two consecutive resting sites was 269.5 m (SD = 365 m) and did not differ between areas, although movements were greater for males than females. Distance moved was influenced by seasons, being greater during the cold period. Finally, density estimates were consistently greater at the protected area. We argue that home-range size in Molina’s hog-nosed skunks is an inherent species property, whereas population density and territoriality are more flexible parameters that could reflect how the ecosystem state was affected. In our study, the greater dispersion of food patches in the cropland area than in the protected area may be the major factor influencing these parameters.

Abundance of Conepatus chinga (Carnivora, Mephitidae) and other medium-sized mammals in grasslands of southern Brazil

“…In Arroio Grande, the estimated density of C. chinga is similar to densities of the most common of three sympatric species studied in Mexico (CerVantes et al, 2002). The only density estimate available for Conepatus in South America was derived from telemetry studies, and was 0.68 -1.66 individuals/km² in croplands and protected areas respectively (Castillo et al, 2011). These authors used spotlight surveys to estimate density, but did not succeed because of the small number of sightings.…”

“…Density estimates based on telemetry data are only valid if no other animal lives within the total area used by the marked animals (Gese, 2001). Individuals of C. chinga show considerable overlap in their home ranges, even among individuals of the same sex (rePuCCi et al, 2009;Castillo et al, 2011;kasPer et al, 2012), making it nearly impossible to mark all the animals in a given area. In a similar study, for example, kasPer et al (2012) could not use this method of analysis because several non-marked individuals were sharing the areas of the monitored animals.…”

“…In a similar study, for example, kasPer et al (2012) could not use this method of analysis because several non-marked individuals were sharing the areas of the monitored animals. However, Castillo et al (2011) did not mention the possibility that their analyses could have produced underestimates, so we will assume that their numbers are valid. In this case, our estimates are higher than those in Argentina, despite the wide variability observed.…”

A test of the Resource's and Bergmann's rules in a widely distributed small carnivore from southern South America, Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782) (Carnivora: Mephitidae)

“…Studies on C. chinga have focused on ecological aspects, such as home range, activity patterns or diet preferences (Fuller et al, 1987;Travaini et al, 1998;Donadio et al, 2001Donadio et al, , 2004Medina et al, 2009;Bortolotto Peters et al, 2011;Castillo et al, 2011;Kasper et al, 2012). Although Schiaffini et al (2013) described latitudinal and longitudinal patterns of size and morphological variation, no detailed analysis with more inclusive methods and better explanatory variables had been performed to date.…”

Differential patterns of home-range, net displacement and resting sites use of Conepatus chinga in southern Brazil

“…The geographic distribution of this species ranges from mid-northern Argentina and Chile to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay (Redford and Eisenberg 1992), and southern Brazil (Cheida et al 2006). The distribution is primarily associated with open and temperate areas, mainly the Pampas biome, and is apparently present in abundant populations in Argentina (Castillo et al 2011a) and southern Brazil (Kasper et al 2009). With a diet based on insects and insect larvae, this skunk is able to use fragmented landscapes, even living near urban areas.…”