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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
3 pages in length. The Mephitis mephitis – also known as the striped skunk – shares a vast and colorful history with its other Mustelidae family members, all of which have historically been classified as weasels. This classification comes from the distinction of an absent upper fourth premolar carnassial notch and upper second molar, in addition to expanded scent glands. Interestingly, the evolution of these characteristics is suspected to be more a response to convergence rather than ancestral; in short, the skunk's evolution is thought to be derived from a blending of several traits instead of what existed in their ancient predecessors. As such, identifying the precise evolution of the striped skunk is not a cut-and-dried objective for scientists, inasmuch as it shares some characteristics with otters and badgers, as well. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
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File: LM1_TLCSkunkS.rtf
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This classification comes from the distinction of an absent upper fourth premolar carnassial notch and upper second molar, in addition to expanded scent glands (Bryant et al, 1993; Martin, 1989;
Wozencraft, 1989). Interestingly, the evolution of these characteristics is suspected to be more a response to convergence rather than ancestral; in short, the skunks evolution is thought to be
derived from a blending of several traits instead of what existed in their ancient predecessors. As such, identifying the precise evolution of the striped skunk is not a cut-and-dried
objective for scientists, inasmuch as it shares some characteristics with otters and badgers, as well (Dragoo Institute #2, no date). The African zorilla, also known as African striped skunk, shares
physical and color configurations with spotted and North American skunks, causing quite a bit of confusing for early natural scientists (Nowak, 1991). An example of such inability to distinguish
one species from the other is noted by Coues (1877), who classified the Old World Mephitinae and African Zorillinae as being closely related. Similarly, a study of black-footed ferrets
had the authors employ an outgroup of skunks, because it was believed they were close enough in genetic composition to warrant such a comparison (OBrien et al, 1989). Examining fossil
records affords scientists the opportunity to gain a better idea of striped skunk distribution throughout its evolutionary journey. Historical references find the Mephitidae lived in Europe but is no
longer a resident today; fossils uncovered in Germany date as far back as eleven or twelve million years to prove their one-time existence on that continent. This does not
reflect the species origin, however, which has been traced back by way of genetic data to between thirty and forty million years ago, affording skunks the honor of having evolved
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