River Crossings by Two Male Eastern Spotted Skunks in West Virginia

Persistent URL
Author(s)
Hassler, Kendyl N.
Waggy, Charles D.
Oxenrider, Kevin J.
Rogers, Rich E.
Pearce, Kelly J.
Serfass, Thomas L.
Date Issued
August 13, 2021
Abstract
Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk) populations have declined throughout their range and may now be extirpated from the northeast in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Populations have persisted south of the Potomac River along shared mountain ranges in Virginia and West Virginia. Little is known about the dispersal capabilities of the species, including if large riverine systems inhibit their dispersal. During a radio-telemetry study of 8 Eastern Spotted Skunks in West Virginia, 2 males crossed the South Branch of the Potomac River (SBPR) on 9 occasions. Crossings may have been motivated by breeding movements, as 7 occurred during the breeding season. Stretches of the Potomac River similar in size to the SBPR might not inhibit the natural recolonization of the northeastern range.
Journal
Southeastern Naturalist
Department
Environmental Science / Studies
Citation
Kendyl N. Hassler, Charles D. Waggy, Kevin J. Oxenrider, Rich E. Rogers, Kelly J. Pearce, Thomas L. Serfass "River Crossings by Two Male Eastern Spotted Skunks in West Virginia," Southeastern Naturalist, 20(sp11), 199-208, (13 August 2021)
Publisher
Eagle Hill Publishing
Version of Article
Published article
DOI
10.1656/058.020.0sp1117
ISSN
1528-7092
1938-5412
Rights
The publisher, Eagle Hill Institute reserves the copyright to all its publications. Any reproduction, other than for an individual's own personal and private use, or distribution of journal content is prohibited without written permission from Eagle Hill Institute.
File(s)
Thumbnail Image
Name

2021-08-13_Pearson_River_Access_Instructions.pdf

Description
Access Instructions
Size

76.42 KB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

4dd17cdece960a776e28b0ad44dd1532

Thumbnail Image
Name

2021-08-13_Pearce_River.pdf

Description
Published Article
Size

2.32 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

a793793a5a63fe628663471bb3433e6c