Mephitidae is a family of mammals comprising the skunks and stink badgers. They are noted for the great development of their anal scent glands, which they use to deter predators. Skunks were formerly classified as a subfamily of the Mustelidae (the weasel family); however, in the 1990s, genetic evidence caused skunks to be treated as a separate family. Similarly, the stink badgers had been classified with badgers, but genetic evidence shows they share a more recent common ancestor with skunks, so they are now included in the skunk family. A 2017 study using retroposon markers indicated that they are most closely related to the Ailuridae (red pandas and allies) and Procyonidae (raccoons and allies).
There are sixteen extant species of mephitids in four genera: Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks, four species); Mephitis (the hooded and striped skunks, two species); Mydaus (stink badgers, two species); and Spilogale (spotted skunks, eight species). The two stink badgers in the genus Mydaus inhabit Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines; the other members of the family inhabit the Americas, ranging from Canada to central South America. All other mephitids are extinct, known through fossils, including those from Eurasia.Mammal Species of the World – Browse: Mephitidae . Bucknell.edu. Retrieved on April 5, 2012.
In taxonomic order, the living species of Mephitidae are:
Genera
Image Genus Living speciesMydaus Mydaus javanensis – Indonesian or Sunda stink badger (Teledu) Mydaus marchei – Palawan stink badgerConepatus Conepatus chinga – Molina's hog-nosed skunk Conepatus humboldtii – Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk Conepatus leuconotus – American hog-nosed skunk Conepatus semistriatus – striped hog-nosed skunkSpilogale Spilogale amphiala - island spotted skunk Spilogale angustifrons – southern spotted skunk Spilogale gracilis – western spotted skunk Spilogale interrupta -plains spotted skunk Spilogale leucoparia -desert spotted skunk Spilogale putorius – eastern spotted skunk Spilogale pygmaea – pygmy spotted skunk Spilogale yucatanensis -Yucatán spotted skunkMephitis Mephitis macroura – hooded skunk Mephitis mephitis – striped skunk
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