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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page paper which provides a
look at the distribution and evolution of the striped skunk. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JR7_RAskunk.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
developed scent glands as a primary defense mechanism; it also is one of the most maligned.....The skunk family Mephitidae is composed of 11 species in four genera, which occur primarily
in the western hemisphere. Skunks make up a diverse group of carnivores living in a variety of habitats, have different ecological requirements, and a wide variety of behavioral and
reproductive idiosyncrasies" (Skunk, 2003). The striped skunk can be found almost everywhere in the United States, as well as in Mexico. One author indicates that, "Striped skunks occur throughout
North America except for the boreal forest, Alaska, coastal British Columbia, and the extreme desert southwest (Godin 1982 via Hanson 1997)" (Adams, 2002). Their density varies form place to place,
and also from year to year as they are a highly adaptive and continuous species. In terms of skunks in general "skunks can be found from Canada to South
America and with the recent inclusion of stink badgers in the family they also can be found on Palawan and Calamian islands as well as Java, Borneo, Sumatra and neighboring
islands. Striped skunks are found from the southwestern Northwest Territories to Hudson Bay and southern Quebec (Canada), south to Florida (USA), northern Tamaulipas, Durango, and northern Baja California (Mexico)" (Skunks,
2003). When discussing the distribution throughout the skunks evolution, one author indicates that "The distribution of the Mephitidae can be explained by examining the fossil record. While skunks do
not occur in Europe today, they did occur there in the past" (Skunk, 2003). In fact, "the oldest recognized fossil identified as a skunk occurred in Germany about 11-12 million
years ago. Genetic data, however, place the origin of the family back to about 30-40 million years ago" (Skunk, 2003). Skunks are carnivores and thus have evolved within the
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