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Jerry W. Dragoo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the striped skunk, Mephitis Mephitis, and other mephitids.
Molecular ecology resources, 2009Co-Authors: Jerry W. Dragoo, Kathryn E. Coan, Kristin A. Moore, Scott E. Henke, Robert C. Fleischer, Samantha M. WiselyAbstract:We report 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci primers developed for striped skunks (Mephitis Mephitis), a widespread mesocarnivore in North America. Numbers of alleles in these loci ranged from seven to 14 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.76 to 1.0. These primers will be useful for studying population dynamics of skunks where rabies is endemic and will be useful to estimate genetic relatedness among females sharing winter dens. Most of these primers amplify across species within the Mephitidae.
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Identification of skunk species submitted for rabies testing in the desert southwest.
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2004Co-Authors: Jerry W. Dragoo, Daniel K. Matthes, Adam Aragon, Christine C. Hass, Terry L. YatesAbstract:Skunks usually are identified by their common name (skunk) when submitted for rabies testing. In the desert southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, USA; and northern Mexico), there are five species of skunks; four of which can occur in sympatry. To better understand the ecology of skunk rabies in these areas, it is imperative that species be properly identified. We used the displacement loop (d-loop) of the mitochondrial genome to identify to species 24 skunk brain samples submitted for rabies testing in New Mexico from 2001 to 2002. Most were identified as striped skunks (Mephitis Mephitis), but hooded (Mephitis macroura) and hog-nosed (Conepatus leuconotus) skunks were also found.
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Volatile Components in Defensive Spray of the Hooded Skunk, Mephitis macroura
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2002Co-Authors: William F. Wood, Brian G. Sollers, Gwen A. Dragoo, Jerry W. DragooAbstract:GC-MS analysis of the anal sac secretion from the hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura , showed the following seven major components comprised 99% of the volatiles in this secretion: ( E )-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, S -( E )-2-butenyl thioacetate, S -3-methylbutenyl thioacetate, 2-phenylethanethiol, 2-methylquinoline, and 2-quinolinemethanethiol. Minor volatile components identified in this secretion are phenylmethanethiol, S -phenylmethyl thioacetate, S -2-phenylethyl thioacetate, bis[( E )-2-butenyl] disulfide, ( E )-2-butenyl 3-methylbutyl disulfide, bis(3-methylbutyl) disulfide, and S -2-quinolinemethyl thioacetate. This secretion is similar to that of the striped skunk, Mephitis Mephitis , differing only in that it contains four compounds not reported from the striped skunk: phenylmethanethiol, S -phenylmethyl thioacetate, 2-phenylethanethiol, and S -2-phenylethyl thioacetate.
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Phylogenetic relationships among the skunks: A molecular perspective
Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 1993Co-Authors: Jerry W. Dragoo, Robert D. Bradley, Rodney L. Honeycutt, Joe W. TempletonAbstract:Phylogenetic relationships among the three recognized genera of skunks ( Mephitis, Spilogale , and Conepatus ) were examined using allozymes and nucleotide sequence data from portions of the cytochrome b gene and displacement loop of the mitochondrial genome. The data sets indicated that Mephitis and Spilogale shared a common ancestor after they diverged from Conepatus . Intrageneric relationships revealed that the level of genetic divergence between the two species of Spilogale was equal to the level of divergence between the two species of Mephitis , with the two North American species of Conepatus possessing the least amount of genetic divergence.
Richardson, Dennis J. - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Helminth Parasites of the Raccoon (\u3ci\u3eProcyon lotor\u3c/i\u3e), Virginia opossum (\u3ci\u3eDidelphis virginiana\u3c/i\u3e), and striped skunk (\u3ci\u3eMephitis Mephitis\u3c/i\u3e) from Keith County, Nebraska
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2013Co-Authors: Richardson, Dennis J.Abstract:Nine raccoons (Procyon lotor), 6 Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and 1 striped skunk (Mephitis Mephitis) collected from Keith County, Nebraska were examined for helminth parasites. Raccoons were infected with the nematodes Arthrocephalus lotoris, Baylisascaris procyonis, and Capillaria plica, the trematode Fibricola cratera, and the tapeworm Atriotaenia procyonis. Opossums were infected with 1 nematode, 1 trematode, and 1 cestode species: Physaloptera turgida, Plagiorhchis elegans, and Oochoristica sp., respectively. The single striped skunk was infected with the nematode Physaloptera maxillaris and the cestodes Mesocestoides sp. and Oochoristica sp
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Ectoparasites of the Virginia opossum (\u3ci\u3eDidelphis virginiana\u3c/i\u3e), Raccoon (\u3ci\u3eProcyon lotor\u3c/i\u3e), and Striped skunk (\u3ci\u3eMephitis Mephitis\u3c/i\u3e) from Keith County, Nebraska
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2013Co-Authors: Durden, Lance A., Richardson, Dennis J.Abstract:Six Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), nine raccoons (Procyon lotor) and one striped skunk (Mephitis Mephitis) collected from Keith County Nebraska were examined for ectoparasites. All three host species were parasitized by adults of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis. Opossums were also parasitized by the flea Pulex simulans and the tiny fur mite Didelphilichus serrifer; the latter species represents a new state record for Nebraska. Raccoons were also parasitized by P. simulans and by the lagomorph-associated flea Euhoplopsyllus glacialis affinis, whereas the skunk was also parasitized by the chewing louse Neotrichodectes mephiditis
M J Topper - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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sarcocystis Mephitisi n sp protozoa sarcocystidae sarcocystis neurona like and toxoplasma like infections in striped skunks Mephitis Mephitis
Journal of Parasitology, 2002Co-Authors: J P Dubey, A N Hamir, M J TopperAbstract:Two structurally distinct types (A, B) of microscopic sarcocysts were found in muscles of 4 of 5 feral skunks. Type A sarcocysts had sarcocyst walls of up to 6 μm thick. The villar protrusions (Vp) on the sarcocyst wall were up to 5 μm long. The Vp were constricted at the base, expanded in the middle, and had a blunt tip. Numerous microtubules were present in the Vp and in the granular layer. Bradyzoites were up to 11 μm long and up to 3.2 μm wide. Based on the distinctiveness of the Vp, a new name, Sarcocystis Mephitisi is proposed for type A sarcocysts. Type B sarcocysts had a relatively thin (∼1–2 μm thick) sarcocyst wall and the Vp were slender and tapered toward the tip. These sarcocysts were structurally similar to S. neurona sarcocysts. A Toxoplasma gondii–like tissue cyst was found in a section of tongue of 1 of the 4 skunks.
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sarcocystis Mephitisi n sp protozoa sarcocystidae sarcocystis neurona like and toxoplasma like infections in striped skunks
2002Co-Authors: J P Dubey, A N Hamir, M J TopperAbstract:Two structurally distinct types (A, B) of microscopic sarcocysts were found in muscles of 4 of 5 feral skunks. Type A sarcocysts had sarcocyst walls of up to 6 mm thick. The villar protrusions (Vp) on the sarcocyst wall were up to 5 mm long. The Vp were constricted at the base, expanded in the middle, and had a blunt tip. Numerous microtubules were present in the Vp and in the granular layer. Bradyzoites were up to 11 mm long and up to 3.2 mm wide. Based on the distinctiveness of the Vp, a new name, Sarcocystis Mephitisi is proposed for type A sarcocysts. Type B sarcocysts had a relatively thin (;1-2 mm thick) sarcocyst wall and the Vp were slender and tapered toward the tip. These sarcocysts were structurally similar to S. neurona sarcocysts. A Toxoplasma gondii-like tissue cyst was found in a section of tongue of 1 of the 4 skunks. Species of Sarcocystis have a 2-host prey-predator life cycle, with herbivores as intermediate hosts and carnivores as defini- tive hosts (Dubey et al., 1989). The intermediate host becomes infected with Sarcocystis by ingesting sporocysts, oocysts, or both excreted in the feces of the definitive host. After a brief period of schizogony, the parasite encysts in muscles and forms sarcocysts. The definitive host becomes infected by ingesting sarcocysts in infected muscles of intermediate hosts. Some an- imals act both as intermediate and definitive hosts, but usually not for the same species of Sarcocystis (Dubey et al., 1989). The striped skunk (Mephitis Mephitis) can act as a definitive host for Sarcocystis rileyi of ducks (Wicht, 1981), but little is known of sarcocysts in the skunk. Erdman (1978) found sar- cocysts in muscles of 3 skunks from Iowa. These sarcocysts were 300 mm long. Dogs fed these sarcocysts shed sporocysts.
William F. Wood - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Volatile Components in Defensive Spray of the Hooded Skunk, Mephitis macroura
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2002Co-Authors: William F. Wood, Brian G. Sollers, Gwen A. Dragoo, Jerry W. DragooAbstract:GC-MS analysis of the anal sac secretion from the hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura , showed the following seven major components comprised 99% of the volatiles in this secretion: ( E )-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, S -( E )-2-butenyl thioacetate, S -3-methylbutenyl thioacetate, 2-phenylethanethiol, 2-methylquinoline, and 2-quinolinemethanethiol. Minor volatile components identified in this secretion are phenylmethanethiol, S -phenylmethyl thioacetate, S -2-phenylethyl thioacetate, bis[( E )-2-butenyl] disulfide, ( E )-2-butenyl 3-methylbutyl disulfide, bis(3-methylbutyl) disulfide, and S -2-quinolinemethyl thioacetate. This secretion is similar to that of the striped skunk, Mephitis Mephitis , differing only in that it contains four compounds not reported from the striped skunk: phenylmethanethiol, S -phenylmethyl thioacetate, 2-phenylethanethiol, and S -2-phenylethyl thioacetate.
Dennis J. Richardson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in striped skunks Mephitis Mephitis opossums didelphis virginiana and raccoons procyon lotor from connecticut
Journal of Parasitology, 2006Co-Authors: Sheila M Mitchell, Dennis J. Richardson, David S. LindsayAbstract:The prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was examined in striped skunks (Mephitis Mephitis), opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from 8 cities in Connecticut. Ten (42%) of the 24 striped skunks, 2 of 7 (29%) opossums, and 12 of 12 (100%) raccoons were positive at dilutions of 1:50 or greater. These results suggest that T. gondii is prevalent in the environment, or prey items, or both, of these omnivores in Connecticut.
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Prevalence of Agglutinating Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Striped Skunks (Mephitis Mephitis), Opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and Raccoons (Procyon lotoi)
2006Co-Authors: From Connecticut, Dennis J. Richardson, Sheila M Mitchell, David S. LindsaytAbstract:The prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was examined in striped skunks (Mephitis Mephitis), opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from 8 cities in Connecticut. Ten (42%) of the 24 striped skunks, 2 of 7 (29%) opos- sums, and 12 of 12 (100%) raccoons were positive at dilutions of 1:50 or greater. These results suggest that T. gondii is prevalent in the en- vironment, or prey items, or both, of these omnivores in Connecticut. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis, and all warm-blooded vertebrates are potentially susceptible to infection with this parasite. Oocysts excreted by domestic cats and other felines, as well as tissue cysts in prey, are sources of Toxoplasma gondii for domestic and wild animals. We are interested in the transmission of T. gondii in wild animals that are in contact with humans in urban areas (Hancock et al., 2005). The prev- alence of antibodies to T. gondii in omnivores collected in urban areas should reflect the presence of oocysts in the environment and tissue cysts in food items of these animals. Little is known about the prevalence of T. gondii in striped skunks (Mephitis Mephitis) or opossums (Didelphis virginiana). Toxoplasma gondii genotype III was isolated from 3 of 6 asymptomatic striped skunks from Mississippi (Dubey, Parnell et al., 2004). Two of the 3 isolated from these skunks were mouse pathogens even though they Table I. Prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in striped skunks from 6 cities in Connecticut.
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Ectoparasites of the Striped Skunk, Mephitis Mephitis, in Connecticut, U.S.A.
Comparative Parasitology, 2003Co-Authors: Lance A. Durden, Dennis J. RichardsonAbstract:Abstract Seven species of ectoparasite were collected from 32 striped skunks, Mephitis Mephitis, in south-central Connecticut, U.S.A., from July through September 2001. The most frequently collected ectoparasite was the chewing louse Neotrichodectes mephitidis, which was the only host-specific ectoparasite collected. Immature stages (larvae and nymphs) of 2 species of ticks, Ixodes cookei and the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, also were commonly collected. The remaining 4 species of ectoparasite consisted of 2 species of flea, Oropsylla arctomys and the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, and a macronyssid mite, Ornithonyssus wernecki, that normally parasitizes the Virginia opossum. Overall, the ectoparasite fauna of the striped skunk appears to be relatively depauperate. However, D. variabilis, I. cookei, I. scapularis, and C. felis are known to be vectors of zoonotic pathogens.