Mammals of Indiana: A Field Guide

Species of Questionable Recent Occurrence

1 Species of Questionable Recent Occurrence Eastern spotted skunk, Spilogale putorius. Mumford and Whitaker (1982) recorded the spotted skunk as extirpated in Indiana. However, as for the wolverine, the evidence for its recent occurrence is meager, and one would not expect it here on the basis of its recent range. Hall and Kelson (1959) and Hall (1981) include Indiana in its range only on the basis of two relatively shaky Indiana records. However, there is abundant fossil evidence indicating that this species was present at least in prehistoric times, as remains of at least 25 individuals were collected by Ron Richards of the Indiana State Museum from nine separate localities. Richards concluded that the spotted skunk was a rare inhabitant of at least southwestern Indiana in historic times but that it is now extirpated. We agree with this interpretation. The spotted skunk is generally black but has four white stripes along the back, uninterrupted from the head to the middle of the back, and broken into patches or spots on the hindquarters. Males are larger than females. Total length is 463–610 mm in males, 403–544 in females. Tail is 193–280 mm in males, 165–210 in females, and the hind foot is 43–59 mm in males, 39–47 in females. Weight is 1–2.5 lbs in males, 0.8 to 1.25 in females. Skull length is 43–55 mm. Dental formula: I 3 C 1 P 3 M 1 = 34 3 1 3 2 Red Wolf, Canis rufus. As indicated in the account of the gray wolf, there is question as to whether the red wolf is a distinct species and what its relationships are to the gray wolf and to the coyote. Seminole Bat, Lasiurus seminolus. Three Seminole bats have appeared in Indiana in the last few years, all in the Evansville area. They are considered to be accidental species, as they appear to have come in with shipments of Spanish moss, Tillandsia usneoides. Mammals.indb 1 3/31/10 3:08 PM Mammals.indb 2 3/31/10 3:08 PM ...