Western Spotted Skunk Phylogeography

Spotted skunk caught at Terlingua Creek, Brewster County, Texas

This project is in collaboration with Gema I. Guerra of El Centro College, Dr. Robert C. Dowler and Dr. Loren K. Ammerman of  Angelo State University and Dr. Jerry W. Dragoo of University of New Mexico. Using mitochondrial markers (Cyt-b and D-loop) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) we are seeking to elucidate phylogeographic patterns in this often overlooked small carnivore of western North America. Preliminary analyses indicate that their are statistically supported clades that correspond with Pleistocene barriers in the desert southwest.