Efficacy of attractants for detecting eastern spotted skunks: an experimental approach

Avrin, Alexandra C.; Pekins, Charles E.; Sperry, Jinelle H.; Wolff, P.; Allen, Maximilian L.

doi:10.2981/wlb.00880

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Latency to detection is a key metric in cameratrapping studies for detecting eastern spotted skunks. On average, surveys needed to deploy baited camera traps for 17 d to detect eastern spotted skunks, but the latency to initial detection can range up to 82 d. Sites without bait may also detect the species, but by the time of our review no studies have made comparisons between unbaited and baited camera-trap detection (but see Avrin et al 2021). We did not evaluate differences in latency to detection in terms of frequency of bait replacement, which varied between studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Camera-Trapping Methodology for Eastern Spotted Skunks

Dukes

Jachowski

Harris

et al. 2022

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

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Eastern spotted skunks Spilogale putorius are an understudied species that has experienced range-wide declines. Over the past 16 years, camera traps have become an increasingly common tool to monitor and understand their current distribution. To inform best surveying practices, we reviewed 16 camera trap studies specifically targeting this species. We focused on reported latency to initial detection and three main aspects of study design: seasonality of detections, baits and lures, and camera trap brands. Latency to initial detection ranged from 1–82 days with a mean of 17.1 days (SD = 9.1). Attractants varied among projects, but most (75%) used sardines as bait. The percentage of skunk detections tended to vary across the year, with the highest percentage of skunk detections occurring in March (92%). We conclude by suggesting best practices and directions for future research techniques that will aid in developing more efficient methods to address key knowledge gaps for this elusive species. Given the long timeframes for latency to initial detection monitoring individual sites for at least four weeks, with the use of bait, is likely the best strategy to detect Eastern spotted skunks. We encourage further experimental approaches on the effectiveness of different baits and lures, and how to increase latency to initial detection. Collectively, we hope this leads to the development of a standardized monitoring approach that could be implemented across studies and states within the Eastern spotted skunk’s range.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Camera-Trapping Methodology for Eastern Spotted Skunks

Dukes

Jachowski

Harris

et al. 2022

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

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“…Not invasive method of data collection (Gompper et al, 2006;Joubert et al, 2020) 2. Effective monitoring method for mid-sized and large carnivore species (Avrin et al, 2021;Gompper et al, 2006;Joubert et al, 2020;Kämmerle et al, 2019;Rogan et al, 2022;Shamoon et al, 2017;Strampelli et al, 2020;Stobo-Wilson et al, 2020;Sunarto et al, 2015) 3. Most optimal choice for the the studies focusing on population diversity and abundance evaluation Beirne et al, 2021;Burgar et al, 2019;Farris et al, 2014;Kluever et al, 2013;Lazenby et al, 2015;Macdonald et al, 2020;Muench & Martínez-Ramos, 2016;O'Brien & Kinnaird, 2011;Palencia et al, 2021;Rogan et al, 2022;Shamoon et al, 2017;Silveira et al, 2003;Xiao et al, 2016) 4. Great replacement for traditional methods when working in remote, hard to access areas (Bernard et al, 2022;Silveira et al, 2003;Steinbeiser et al, 2019) 5. Minimal labor and cost effective on a long term (Delisle et al, 2021;Foresman & Pearson, 1998;Steinbeiser et al, 2019) 6.…”

Section: Strengths and Weaknessesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Camera traps are used to generate abundance indices (Beirne et al, 2021;Burton et al, 2012;Farris et al, 2014;Muench & Martínez-Ramos, 2016;Sollmann et al, 2013;Strampelli et al, 2020;Windell et al, 2022) 5. Pictures produced are aesthetically pleasing and can be used in research fundraising and awareness raising (O'Connell et al, 2011) 6. Can be used to evaluate other monitoring measures (Avrin et al, 2021;Comer et al, 2018;Nekaris et al, 2020;Palmer et al, 2021;Windell et al, 2022) Threats 1. Capturing non-target species (Kelly et al, 2012) 2.…”

Section: Strengths and Weaknessesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Camera traps as a research method for carnivore population estimation: Strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, analysis and improvements

Kalandarishvili,

Heltai

2023

Columella

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Camera traps have been gaining popularity in population estimation studies. Based on 149 scientific journals review we evaluated the strengths, weaknesses and improvements of the camera trap method to better understand its effectiveness for studying population parameters. Camera traps have a strong advantage of being a non-invasive method, requiring minimal labor and because of its ability detect multiple species per sampling effort. However, theft and time-consuming data analyses, poor sensor performance and potential behavioral changes of wildlife due to noise and flashlights, prevent the camera traps from being the optimal population estimation method. The population parameter studied depends strongly on the behavior and biology of the target species, although the most common opportunity for development is all related to sensor performance (better triggering response and higher sensitivity) as well as extreme weather condition resistance.

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Western spotted skunk spatial ecology in the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest

Tosa,

Lesmeister,

Levi

2024

Ecosphere

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A major threat to small mammalian carnivore populations is human‐induced land use change, but conservation and management are inhibited by limited knowledge about their ecology and natural history. To fill a key knowledge gap of the western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis), we investigated their spatial ecology at the landscape and home range scale in the temperate rainforests of the Oregon Cascades during 2017–2019. For the landscape scale analysis, we used detections of western spotted skunks at 112 baited camera traps and fitted a dynamic occupancy model to investigate spatial distribution and drivers of inter‐seasonal and inter‐annual changes in occupancy. Concurrently, we radio‐collared 25 spotted skunks (9 female, 16 male) and collected 1583 relocations. Using continuous‐time movement models, we estimated large home range sizes for both male and female spotted skunks, relative to their body mass, and highly overlapping home ranges that indicated a lack of territoriality. Using these home ranges, we fitted a resource selection function using environmental covariates that we assigned to various hypotheses such as resources, predator avoidance, thermal tolerance, and disturbance. Overall, western spotted skunks were widely distributed across our study area (seasonal occupancy up to 63.7 ± 5.3%) and highly detectable (weekly detection probability = 41.2%). At both spatial scales, spotted skunks selected wetter areas and local valleys, which we attributed to areas with more food resources. At the home range scale, spotted skunks selected locations with lower predation risk and areas surrounded by more previously logged forests. In this montane environment, inter‐seasonal contractions in the spatial distributions of spotted skunks were strongly driven by their response to cold temperature and accumulated snow. This was especially evident when seasonal occupancy declined significantly following a severe heavy snow event in February 2019. Given that there is little information available on the natural history of the western spotted skunk, these results provide essential information about their ecology to focus future monitoring efforts and may help identify potential threats (e.g., forest management, severe snow events, or wildfires) to this species.

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Efficacy of attractants for detecting eastern spotted skunks: an experimental approach

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 5 publications

References 36 publications

A Review of Camera-Trapping Methodology for Eastern Spotted Skunks

A Review of Camera-Trapping Methodology for Eastern Spotted Skunks

Camera traps as a research method for carnivore population estimation: Strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, analysis and improvements

Western spotted skunk spatial ecology in the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest

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