Geology topics

Amanda E. Cheeseman

Publications and source records attributed to Amanda E. Cheeseman.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2025

Control of a dominant predator influences the occurrence of a mesocarnivore of conservation concern

Context Interspecific interactions shape ecological communities, influence community dynamics, and drive co-evolution. Despite their ecological significance, predation and competition remain understudied in plains spotted skunks ( Spilogale interrupta ), a species of conservation concern. Clarifying how predator management influences their occurrence is crucial for effective conservation. Aims We investigated how coyote ( Canis latrans ) management affects the occupancy of plains spotted skunks and whether interspecific interactions with domestic cats ( Felis catus ) and striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ) influence plains spotted skunk occurrence. Methods We analysed live-trap data from east-central South Dakota collected in spring of 2021 and 2022. The study area encompassed portions of counties that implemented disparate predator management regimes, including one with systematic annual coyote removal and another without. We used single-species occupancy models to estimate detection and occupancy probabilities for plains spotted skunks, domestic cats, and striped skunks, incorporating environmental factors, including the site-specific predator control regime. We then applied conditional two-species occupancy models to test whether cats and striped skunks influenced plains spotted skunk occurrence. Key results Plains spotted skunks had the lowest occupancy, followed by domestic cats, and striped skunks. Our findings showed significant associations between coyote removal and occupancy probabilities for each mesocarnivore species. Plains spotted skunks had higher occupancy in areas where coyotes were annually removed. Spotted skunk occurrence was not conditional on either domestic cat or striped skunk occurrence. Conclusions In our study system, cats appear to pose less predation risk to spotted skunks than do other predators, reducing the likelihood that cats significantly influence spotted skunk occupancy. Defensive behaviours and use of spatial refugia by plains spotted skunks may further mitigate predation risk. In addition, co-evolutionary pressures may have led to trait adaptations that facilitate the independent co-occurrence of plains spotted skunks and striped skunks. Implications Our findings highlighted the ecological consequences of predator management and the importance of considering predator–prey dynamics in conservation and management planning. Strategies aimed at conserving plains spotted skunks should integrate predator control measures while considering broader mesocarnivore community interactions.

South Dakota↗

USGS2025

Fine-scale farming features drive resource selection of a small carnivore of conservation concern

Anthropogenic factors are accelerating species extinction, with small mammalian carnivores among the most affected. These species play vital ecological roles, yet their conservation needs are often overlooked. Our study focused on the plains spotted skunk ( Spilogale interrupta (Rafinesque, 1820)), a small carnivore that has experienced population declines. We hypothesized that their resource selection was influenced by factors expected to influence prey availability, protection from predators, and human activity. We tracked 14 plains spotted skunks in east-central South Dakota, USA, over 2 years during spring and summer. Using mixed-effects logistic regression, we identified seasonal habitat associations. In spring, plains spotted skunks selected areas near farming structures and human development, avoiding high wetland density and crop cover. In summer, they continued to select areas near farming structures and low human development, but also high wetland density and pasture, while avoiding hay bales and crop cover. Our first analysis of the species’ resource use in the Great Plains indicates that plains spotted skunks select habitats with permanent small-scale agricultural features and varying levels of human development across seasons. Our findings suggest that species’ persistence in the region may depend on conservation strategies that account for seasonal planning, habitat heterogeneity, and key agricultural structures.

Canadian Journal of Zoology↗

USGS2024

Pasture and diurnal temperature are key predictors of regional Plains Spotted Skunk (Spilogale interrupta) distribution

The Plains Spotted Skunk ( Spilogale interrupta ) is a small carnivore native to central North America that has experienced significant population reductions, and there is a lack of information about the species that could inform conservation. Our study aimed to address knowledge gaps about the distribution and habitat associations of the species in South Dakota using species distribution modeling. We used species location data collected from state natural resource managers, trappers, and members of online social media groups dedicated to hunting and wildlife conservation; environmental predictors; and 6 predictive modeling algorithms (i.e., artificial neural networks, artificial classification tree analysis, generalized boosting models, maximum entropy, multivariate adaptive regression splines, and random forests) to develop climate and landcover ensemble distribution models. The most important climate and landcover predictors were mean temperature diurnal range (i.e., average monthly differences between daily high and low temperatures) and proportion of area classified as pasture. Ensemble model concordance identified approximately 31,300 km 2 of potential Plains Spotted Skunk habitat primarily in eastern South Dakota and between the watersheds of the Missouri and James rivers. Our results offer insights that can guide conservation and inform effective management strategies for conserving Plains Spotted Skunk populations in the northern Great Plains. The promotion of low-intensity agricultural practices such as maintaining pastures, farm buildings, fences rows, and the management of woodland encroachment may improve habitat suitability and facilitate the recovery of plains spotted skunks in the region.

South Dakota↗