Hybridization and the phylogenetic relationship between polecats and domestic ferrets in Britain

Davison, Angus; Birks, Johnny D. S.; Griffiths, Huw I.; Kitchener, Andrew C.; Biggins, Dean E.; Butlin, Roger K.

doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(98)00067-6

Cited by 100 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…A few studies have begun to investigate genetic variation in European mink, confirming that their superficial resemblance to American mink (M. vison) is a result of convergent evolution (Davison et al, 1999(Davison et al, , 2000Kurose et al, 2000;Hosoda et al, 2000). Mitochondrial studies have suggested that European mink is most closely related to the polecat (Mustela putorius) or to the steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni), though the similarity may be a consequence of hybridization, in the late Pleistocene or Holocene (Davison et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the western population of the European mink, (Mustela lutreola), a distinct Management Unit for conservation?

Michaux

Libois

Davison

et al. 2004

Biological Conservation

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The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is one of the most threatened carnivores in Europe, with fragmented populations in Belarus, Russia and Romania, as well in south-western France and northern Spain. Many populations have become extinct recently, or are declining. We investigated mitochondrial DNA variation, using the complete D-loop region, and concentrating on the west European population. The aim was two-fold: to use the genetic information to advise on the conservation of European mink, and to begin to understand their history through the Pleistocene. Captive breeding and re-introduction programmes are underway, so it is particularly vital to know whether the West European population should be treated separately. We find that European mink probably colonised from a single refugium after the last glaciation. West European populations may be fixed for a single haplotype, also suggesting a common origin. Despite this evidence for gene flow, following the precautionary principle we suggest that mink from the three geographically separate populations (Romania, Eastern and Western Europe) should be managed separately, for the moment. #

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the western population of the European mink, (Mustela lutreola), a distinct Management Unit for conservation?

Michaux

Libois

Davison

et al. 2004

Biological Conservation

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“…The phenomenon of hybridization between polecats and domestic ferrets in Britain (Davison et al, 1999; has fortunately not yet been described in France. However, few hybridization cases have been reported between polecats and European mink in France (Lode et al, 2005) and Eastern Europe (Maran & Raudsepp, 1994;Tumanov & Abramov, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus,1758) in France and management implications

Berzins¹,

Ruette²

2014

Munibe Monogr., nat. ser.

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Status del turón Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) en Francia e implicaciones para su gestión Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) ipurtatsaren estatusa Frantzian eta kudeaketarekin lotutako inplikazioak ABSTRACTThe polecat Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 is an elusive species whose lifestyle is relatively unknown. In France, the species might be legally hunted. Knowledge of the distribution of the species on the national scale is a necessary prerequisite for the implementation of appropriated management and conservation measures. The National Wildlife and Hunting Agency (ONCFS) has developed a method for collecting data at the national scale so that to create presence maps of small and medium-sized carnivores. The presence map of the polecat is presented in this note, based on data collected from 2001 to 2010. The map shows that the species is fairly well distributed throughout the country with the exception of some regions that deserve further study. According to current knowledge, the factors threatening the polecat in France are above all the deep modifications of the preferential habitats of the polecat, particularly the important decrease of wetlands and hedged farmland; the increase of the road network and the poor state of rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) populations, an important food resource notably in the Mediterranean regions. The importance of secondary rodenticide poisoning needs to be evaluated. We postulated that trapping is not nowadays a major threat to the species in France. Management and conservation measures of its habitat through the implementation of public policies could favor its maintenance.KEY WORDS: Conservation, Distribution, European polecat, France, Threats. RESUMENEl turón Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 es una especie huidiza de costumbres poco conocidas. Su caza en Francia podriar estar permitida. Conocer la distribución del Turón en territorio nacional es indispensable para tomar medidas de gestión y de conservación apropiadas a su estatus. La Oficina Nacional de Caza y Fauna Salvaje (ONCFS) ha desarrollado un método de recogida de datos a escala nacional con el fin de realizar mapas de presencia de pequeños y medianos carnívoros. En este artículo, se muestra el mapa de presencia del Turón obtenido a partir de los datos recogidos del año 2001 al 2010. Éste, indica que la especie está bien distribuida en el territorio a excepción de algunas regiones que merecerían un más estudios. Basándonos en los conocimientos actuales, los factores que amenazan al Turón en Francia son sobre todo las enormes modificaciones de su hábitat, particularmente una disminución importante de los humedales y de las zonas boscosas; el aumento de la red de carreteras y el mal estado de ciertas poblaciones de conejos Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758), importante fuente alimenticia, especialmente en las regiones mediterráneas. La gestión y la conservación del hábitat del Turón a través de la realización de políticas públicas serían unas medidas que podrían favorecer el mantenimiento de es...

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“…Secondary poisoning, the use of non-selective methods for predator control, and hybridisation with feral ferrets, may also represent threats to the species in Portugal, as they have been described to affect polecat populations elsewhere (Birks, 1998;Davison et al, 1999;Packer & Birks, 1999;Shore et al, 2003;Konjeviç, 2005;Costa et al, 2013).…”

Section: Conservation Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hybridisation between polecats and other mustelid species has been reported to occur in nature (Davison et al, 1999;Lodé et al, 2005;Cabria et al, 2011;Costa et al, 2013). Although rare, hybridisation with the European mink Mustela lutreola (Linnaeus, 1761) seems to pose a major threat for mink populations that are more depleted locally than polecat populations (Lodé et al, 2005;Cabria et al, 2011).…”

Section: Conservation Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although rare, hybridisation with the European mink Mustela lutreola (Linnaeus, 1761) seems to pose a major threat for mink populations that are more depleted locally than polecat populations (Lodé et al, 2005;Cabria et al, 2011). In Britain, current hybridisation with ferrets does not seem to be a cause for concern, but it was significant in the recent past during and subsequent to the polecat demographic decline of the 19th century and prevents the reliable identification of "pure polecats" solely based on morphological characteristics (Davison et al, 1999;Costa et al, 2013). In Portugal, legislation regarding ferret ownership is ambiguous.…”

Section: Conservation Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecology and conservation of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portugal: a review

Costa¹,

Fernandes²,

Santos‐Reis³

2014

Munibe Monogr., nat. ser.

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Ecology and conservation of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) ABSTRACTIn Portugal, the current status of the European polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) is Data Deficient but, although apparently widespread in the country, empirical evidence suggests a population decline. The present review summarises information from published studies and grey literature concerning the species' distribution, ecological requirements and the negative impacts of anthropogenic pressures. In southern Portugal, polecats seem to be strongly associated with riparian habitats and specialised in the consumption of lagomorphs. Main threats to the species in Portugal are habitat degradation due to agricultural intensification, decline of prey populations, direct persecution, and road mortality. Further research is urgently needed to accurately map the occurrence of the polecat and assess the current trend of its populations, so that conservation and management actions can be properly applied. Ongoing studies are expected to provide new insights into patterns of time and space use, genetic structure and putative hybridisation with domestic ferrets, and interspecific interactions with the other semi-aquatic carnivores of the Portuguese fauna, the otter Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) and the American mink Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777). Conservation actions should include the recovery and preservation of the habitats for polecats and their prey, promotion of non-intensive farming and restricted use of pesticides, surveillance of predator control activities, enforcement of mitigation measures in human-altered landscapes, and monitoring of hybridisation with ferrets. The implementation of these measures should increase polecat chances of persisting in Portuguese landscapes and, ultimately, would benefit the whole carnivore community. KEY WORDS:European polecat, ecology and conservation, literature review, Mustela putorius, Portugal. RESUMENLa información actual sobre el estado del turón Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) en Portugal es escasa; sin embargo, a pesar de que parece estar ampliamente distribuido por todo el país, evidencias empíricas parecen indicar un disminución de la población. La presente revisión es un compendio de toda la información disponible en artículos y literatura gris sobre su distribución, ecología y el impacto que la actividad humana ha ejercido sobre la especie. En el sur de Portugal, el turón parece estar fuertemente asociado a zonas ribereñas y haberse especializado en el consumo de lagomorfos. Las principales amenazas a esta especie en Portugal son la degradación de su hábitat debido a la intensificación de la agricultura, la disminución de las poblaciones de sus presas, la persecución directa de animales, y la muerte accidental en carreteras. Por lo tanto, es necesaria más investigación que permita determinar la incidencia y tendencias de las poblaciones de turón, con el fin de poder aplicar e implementar eficazmente diferentes programas de conservación y gestión. Se espera que los estudios en...

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Hybridization and the phylogenetic relationship between polecats and domestic ferrets in Britain

Cited by 100 publications

References 25 publications

Is the western population of the European mink, (Mustela lutreola), a distinct Management Unit for conservation?

Is the western population of the European mink, (Mustela lutreola), a distinct Management Unit for conservation?

Status of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus,1758) in France and management implications

Ecology and conservation of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portugal: a review

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