Disparity between predicted habitat distributions of the eastern spotted skunk and striped skunk in Florida

Abstract The eastern spotted skunk ( Spilogale putorius ) is a small mesocarnivore that has experienced population decline across its range, whereas populations of the larger striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis ) have remained stable. Both skunk species occur in Florida, USA, but their occupied ranges have diverged over time, with the range of the spotted skunk markedly declining. Determining their ecological niches within the framework of species distribution models (SDMs) can help to understand their habitat use and landscape‐scale interactions in Florida. We developed SDMs for both species using the presence‐only model Maxent, incorporating occurrences collected from 2017–2022 from community science and research data, along with 12 environmental variables representing various landscape features (e.g., land cover, topography, fire history). We quantified the area of predicted habitat for each species, estimated their spatial overlap, and measured potential impacts from external pressures (e.g., projected urbanization, sea level rise). Owing to their range decline and habitat specialization, we expected a smaller predicted area of habitat for eastern spotted skunk, with higher potential for external pressures and minimal overlap with striped skunk habitat. Our results indicated habitat area was smaller for eastern spotted skunk (24,333 km 2 ) than striped skunk (31,964 km 2 ), with minimal spatial overlap (14%). We found that eastern spotted skunk distribution occurred mostly in coastal and southern areas of Florida and was positively influenced by scrub‐shrubland cover and vegetation diversity and negatively influenced by cropland and developed areas. Striped skunk distribution mostly occurred in northern and interior areas of Florida and was positively influenced by wooded edges, prairie, and wetland cover. Less‐rugged topography was important to both species. Projected trends in urbanization and sea level rise more greatly threaten the habitats of eastern spotted skunk than striped skunk. We provide a detailed habitat map and a much‐needed description of the ecological niche of the eastern spotted skunk in Florida, which differs from that of the striped skunk. Overall, this study can inform both statewide and species‐wide conservation and management decisions for both skunk species.