Spilogale pygmaea

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	CARNIVORA	MEPHITIDAE

Scientific Name:

Spilogale pygmaea

Species Authority:

Thomas, 1898

Common Name/s:

English	–	Pygmy Spotted Skunk
Spanish	–	Zorrillo Pigmeo

Taxonomic Notes:

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). Wozencraft (2005) recognized the family Mephitidae. Ewer (1973) argued that Spilogale pygmaea is conspecific with S. putorius.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2c ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

Cuarón, A.D. & Helgen, H.

Reviewer/s:

Duckworth, J.W. (Small Carnivore Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable due to an ongoing population reduction estimated to be greater than 30% over the past 3 generations (suspected to be 15 years) inferred from rates of habitat loss. The species has a limited and discontinuous range in a area of Mexico which is developing rapidly, and is threatened as a result of human activities related to tourism development. Although the species occurs in a variety of habitats and it is able to survive under human-disturbed conditions - in these same areas dogs and cats present a threat.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The Pygmy skunk is a small carnivore endemic to the tropical Pacific Coast of Mexico, from Sinaloa south to Oaxaca (Medellín et al., 1998). The species is found from 0-1630 meters, but is most common below 350 m.
Countries:	Native: Mexico
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Spilogale pygmaea is a scarce species, but seems to be able to survive under human-disturbed conditions if enough habitat is preserved (Schreiber et al., 1989).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Spilogale pygmaea inhabits deciduous tropical forest, semi-evergreen forest, and desert scrub (Ceballos and Miranda, 1986). One specimen was obtained in coastal sand dunes with only herbaceous vegetational cover (López-Forment and Urbano, 1979). Although most individuals have been found in undisturbed habitats, they are capable of penetrating into agricultural zones and pastures (Ceballos and Miranda, 1986). Altitudinal distribution is usually 0-100 m above sea level (Van Gelder, 1959). The mean home range was 20.4 ha with male home ranges larger than those of females (Cantú-Salazar et al., 1999). Spilogale pygmaea is a noctumal species that makes dens underground or in fallen logs, among rocks, or simply under dense vegetation cover. Food habits consist of insects, spiders, birds, eggs, small mammals, and some fruit and seeds (Ceballos and Miranda, 1986).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Spilogale pygmaea inhabits deciduous tropical forest, semi-evergreen forest, and desert scrub (Ceballos and Miranda, 1986). One specimen was obtained in coastal sand dunes with only herbaceous vegetational cover (López-Forment and Urbano, 1979). Although most individuals have been found in undisturbed habitats, they are capable of penetrating into agricultural zones and pastures (Ceballos and Miranda, 1986). Altitudinal distribution is usually 0-100 m above sea level (Van Gelder, 1959). The mean home range was 20.4 ha with male home ranges larger than those of females (Cantú-Salazar et al., 1999). Spilogale pygmaea is a noctumal species that makes dens underground or in fallen logs, among rocks, or simply under dense vegetation cover. Food habits consist of insects, spiders, birds, eggs, small mammals, and some fruit and seeds (Ceballos and Miranda, 1986).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The rapidly expanding tourist developments occurring in the small range of S. pygmaea along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, together with its discontinuous distribution along the coastline, are probably having a negative effect on this species (Ceballos and Navarro, 1991). Some individuals are stuffed and sold as souvenirs in stores at Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico (Medellín pers. comm.). The great pressure to develop the west coast of Mexico for resorts, roads, and tourist cities is currently destroying much of the habitat of this as well as other endemic species of Mexico (Dinerstein et al., 1995; Ramamoorthy et al. 1993). Dogs and cats will prey on this species around human populations.

Major Threat(s):

The rapidly expanding tourist developments occurring in the small range of S. pygmaea along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, together with its discontinuous distribution along the coastline, are probably having a negative effect on this species (Ceballos and Navarro, 1991). Some individuals are stuffed and sold as souvenirs in stores at Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico (Medellín pers. comm.). The great pressure to develop the west coast of Mexico for resorts, roads, and tourist cities is currently destroying much of the habitat of this as well as other endemic species of Mexico (Dinerstein et al., 1995; Ramamoorthy et al. 1993). Dogs and cats will prey on this species around human populations.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is considered vulnerable (Ceballos and Navarro, 1991) and listed since 1994 as threatened by the federal governrnent of Mexico. Its presence in protected areas has been confirmed in the recently decreed, Cuixrnala Biosphere reserve, which is continuous with the Chamela Reserve of the National University of Mexico, located on the coast of Jalisco (Medellín et al., 1998).

Conservation Actions:

The species is considered vulnerable (Ceballos and Navarro, 1991) and listed since 1994 as threatened by the federal governrnent of Mexico. Its presence in protected areas has been confirmed in the recently decreed, Cuixrnala Biosphere reserve, which is continuous with the Chamela Reserve of the National University of Mexico, located on the coast of Jalisco (Medellín et al., 1998).

Citation:	Cuarón, A.D. & Helgen, H. 2008. Spilogale pygmaea. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 February 2012.
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