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Denning ecology of Molina's hog-nosed skunk in a farmland area in the Pampas grassland of Argentina

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Ecological Research

Abstract

This paper reports the very first data on the denning habits of the little-studied Molina’s hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga). We identified and characterized 240 (males: n = 92, females: n = 148) den sites used by nine radio-tracked skunks from November 2002 to October 2003 and from December 2005 to October 2007. Most dens were found in underground burrows and we found no variation in dimensions of den entrances across seasons. On average, 24.1% of the den sites were reused by C. chinga. Den sites were not homogeneously distributed within an animal's home range, being the density in core areas greater than in proximity to the borders of home ranges. C. chinga selected specific habitat characteristics for their den sites, such as high shrub and grass cover. Accordingly, the habitats preferred by skunks were native grasslands and pastures. Also, C. chinga preferred den sites located close to fences, roads, and grass patches. We argue that these preferences for den sites may provide two, not mutually exclusive, advantages: access to consistent and predictable sources of food, and protection from predators. Our results suggest that availability of semi-natural grassland and pasture areas may favor the conservation of C. chinga in the human-modified landscapes of the Pampas.

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Acknowledgments

We thank E. Luengos, N. Caruso, M. Rodriguez, C. Manfredi, H. Bindotti, R. Temperoni, H. Marrero, and the other volunteers who helped in collection of the field data. Thanks are extended to the farm owners who granted us permission to work in their lands and especially the Merino family, who also provided important logistical support. Postgraduate scholarships from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas of Buenos Aires Province (CIC) supported DC participation to the project. The paper was funded by Earthwatch Institute, IM40 Grant by ANPCyT, and SGCyT, UNS (PGI 24/123).

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  1. GECM, Cát. Fisiología Animal, Depto. Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, UNS, San Juan 670, 8000, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Diego F. Castillo, Mauro Lucherini & Emma B. Casanave

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  1. Diego F. Castillo
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  2. Mauro Lucherini
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  3. Emma B. Casanave
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Correspondence to Diego F. Castillo.

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Castillo, D.F., Lucherini, M. & Casanave, E.B. Denning ecology of Molina's hog-nosed skunk in a farmland area in the Pampas grassland of Argentina. Ecol Res 26, 845–850 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-011-0855-y

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