Phylogenetic relationships among the skunks: A molecular perspective

Phylogenetic relationships among the three recognized genera of skunks (Mephitis, Spilogale, andConepatus) were examined using allozymes and nucleotide sequence data from portions of the cytochromeb gene and displacement loop of the mitochondrial genome. The data sets indicated thatMephitis andSpilogale shared a common ancestor after they diverged fromConepatus. Intrageneric relationships revealed that the level of genetic divergence between the two species ofSpilogale was equal to the level of divergence between the two species ofMephitis, with the two North American species ofConepatus possessing the least amount of genetic divergence.     

Meles iberica n. sp., a new Eurasian badger (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from Fonelas P-1 (Plio-Pleistocene boundary, Guadix Basin, Granada, Spain)

This paper reports a new species of ancient badger – Meles iberica n. sp. – discovered at the Fonelas P-1 Plio-Pleistocene site (Cuenca de Guadix, Granada, Spain). The anatomical features of its fossils, which identify it as a new species of Meles, include: the great robustness and small size of the specimens found, orbits nearly closed by well-developed zygomatic processes of the frontal bone, very small and rounded infraorbital foramens that open above the fourth upper premolar metacone, upper carnassial teeth with a concave linguodistal outline, the reduction of the talon of the first upper molar, a very deep masseteric fossa, whose anterior margin reaches the mesial limit of the second lower molar, an extensive horizontal platform at the base of this fossa, and a very long and narrow angular apophysis. This species is the most ancient of the genus recorded for the Iberian Peninsula.