Wild American Mink Research Articles

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Wild American Mink (Neogale vison): The First Serological Study in Germany and Poland.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals. Although most infections in humans and animals are subclinical, an infection can nevertheless be fatal. One of the important characteristics in the epidemiology of this parasite is waterborne transmission. The American mink (Neogale vison), a mammal closely adapted to freshwater ecosystems, is a potential sentinel for T. gondii. We analysed meat juice from the heart of 194 wild minks collected between 2019 and 2022 in five study areas from Germany and Poland and tested for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii. The analysis was performed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (ELISA). Antibodies were detected in 45.36% (88/194, 95% confidence interval (CI): 38.39-52.41%) of the analysed animals. While the prevalence values ranged from 37.50% to 49.30%, there was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the study areas. Juveniles were less likely to carry T. gondii antibodies than adults (odds ratio: 0.216), whereas there was no significant difference in prevalence between the sexes (odds ratio: 0.933). The results of our study show that contact with T. gondii is widespread in minks, and the parasite is common in inland freshwater ecosystems in Germany and Poland. This indicates that watercourses play an important role in the spread of T. gondii oocysts.

Lack of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in British wildlife 2020-21 and first description of a stoat (Mustela erminea) Minacovirus.

Repeat spillover of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into new hosts has highlighted the critical role of cross-species transmission of coronaviruses and establishment of new reservoirs of virus in pandemic and epizootic spread of coronaviruses. Species particularly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 spillover include Mustelidae (mink, ferrets and related animals), cricetid rodents (hamsters and related animals), felids (domestic cats and related animals) and white-tailed deer. These predispositions led us to screen British wildlife with sarbecovirus-specific quantitative PCR and pan coronavirus PCR assays for SARS-CoV-2 using samples collected during the human pandemic to establish if widespread spillover was occurring. Fourteen wildlife species (n=402) were tested, including: two red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 101 badgers (Meles meles), two wild American mink (Neogale vison), 41 pine marten (Martes martes), two weasels (Mustela nivalis), seven stoats (Mustela erminea), 108 water voles (Arvicola amphibius), 39 bank voles (Myodes glareolous), 10 field voles (Microtus agrestis), 15 wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), one common shrew (Sorex aranaeus), two pygmy shrews (Sorex minutus), two hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and 75 Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). No cases of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in any animals, but a novel minacovirus related to mink and ferret alphacoronaviruses was detected in stoats recently introduced to the Orkney Islands. This group of viruses is of interest due to pathogenicity in ferrets. The impact of this virus on the health of stoat populations remains to be established.

Identification of intestinal parasites in wild American mink (Neovison vison) from Biebrza and Narew national parks (Poland)

American mink (Neovison vison) is an invasive species in the sylvatic environment of Poland. Mink are exposed to different parasite infections as their preys serve as intermediate and/or paratenic hosts. The study aimed to discriminate the pattern of intestinal parasite infections in mink inhabiting Biebrza (BNP) and Narew (NNP) national parks. Gastrointestinal tract examinations revealed Coccidia, Echinostomatidae, Taenidae, and Capillariidae parasites. There was no significant difference in the parasite burden of mink, but patterns of infections varied between both localizations. Coccidia were found in 3.8% of BNP vs. 6.7% of NNP mink. Fluke prevalence was significantly higher in NNP 27.5% compared to 7.7% in BNP mink. Tapeworms were only found in 3.4% of NNP mink. Significantly more Aonchotheca eggs were found in BNP 34.6% vs. 11.4% in NNP mink. The intensity of coccidiosis and aonchothecosis was low in both parks. Fluke intensity varied between low to moderate (ranging from 1 to 16) in BNP and low to massive (ranging from 1 to 117) in NNP mink. Coinfections of various parasite species were noted in both areas. Morphological and DNA analysis revealed that flukes belonged to Isthiomorpha melis and tapeworms to Versteria mustelae. It was the first isolation of V. mustelae in mink of those localizations. In conclusion, our study showed that mink indwelling Biebrza and Narew national parks are moderately infested with parasites. Results suggest that mink play an important role as a reservoir for parasites endangering endemic mustelids, becoming also a potential risk factor in case of accidental transmissions to farm mink. That is why, more strict biosecurity measures are required to protect farm mink.

Влияние светового фактора на латентную фазу беременности норок американских (Neovison vison) промышленного разведения

Until now, cellular fur animals are in strict dependence on photoperiods in nature, where light is a signal factor of the external environment for them [4]. Unlike other domestic animals, fur-bearing animals have retained a clear seasonality of reproduction (monoestrism) and molting of the hairline, and the light factor acts as a synchronizer of the effects on their body through the optic-hypothalamic-pituitary system. The production of appropriate hormones under the influence of photoperiodism is a tool that regulates the biological rhythms of the animal. The variability in the duration of pregnancy in the wild American mink (Mustela vison Schreber, 1777) is very high – it ranges from 38 to 80 days [1]. The duration of pregnancy in minks depends on the duration of the latent phase of this period. In the farm of OOO «Meha», work is underway to reduce the duration of pregnancy in female minks by artificially lengthening daylight hours at the place where the minks are kept during the gestation of puppies by the females. Stabilization of pregnancy and whelping in this way greatly facilitates the work of fur breeders and livestock specialists, allows you to get earlier litters from females, which contributes to an increase in the safety of puppies and their earlier jigging.

Wild American mink (Neovison vison) may pose a COVID-19 threat.

Frontiers in Ecology and the EnvironmentVolume 19, Issue 5 p. 266-267 Write Back Wild American mink (Neovison vison) may pose a COVID-19 threat Lauren A Harrington, Corresponding Author Lauren A Harrington [email protected] Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMaría Díez-León, María Díez-León Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UKSearch for more papers by this authorAsunción Gómez, Asunción Gómez TRAGSATEC, Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorAndrew Harrington, Andrew Harrington Neovison Ecology Ltd, Eynsham, UKSearch for more papers by this authorDavid W Macdonald, David W Macdonald Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKSearch for more papers by this authorTiit Maran, Tiit Maran Tallinn Zoo, Tallinn, EstoniaSearch for more papers by this authorMadis Põdra, Madis Põdra TRAGSATEC, Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorSugoto Roy, Sugoto Roy International Union for Conservation of Nature, Gland, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author Lauren A Harrington, Corresponding Author Lauren A Harrington [email protected] Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMaría Díez-León, María Díez-León Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UKSearch for more papers by this authorAsunción Gómez, Asunción Gómez TRAGSATEC, Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorAndrew Harrington, Andrew Harrington Neovison Ecology Ltd, Eynsham, UKSearch for more papers by this authorDavid W Macdonald, David W Macdonald Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKSearch for more papers by this authorTiit Maran, Tiit Maran Tallinn Zoo, Tallinn, EstoniaSearch for more papers by this authorMadis Põdra, Madis Põdra TRAGSATEC, Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorSugoto Roy, Sugoto Roy International Union for Conservation of Nature, Gland, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2344Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume19, Issue5June 2021Pages 266-267 RelatedInformation

Molecular genetic polymorphism of American mink populations (Neovison vison) in model fur farms and on the adjacent territories in Belarus

American mink (Neovison vison) is both a problematic invader and an economically valuable fur breed species in Belarus. The increasing scale of mink breeding for fur and the growing impact of this invasive species on the local ecosystems requires sound, novel strategies for managing both farm and wild populations. Containment of wild American mink populations under the effects of possible migration from the fur farms could be especially problematic. With that issue in mind, we have used microsatellite analysis todetermine the genetic polymorphism in two color breeds of farm-bred American mink in the populations of several Belorussian model fur farms, as well as the same characteristics for the feral populations on the territories adjacent to said fur farms. We confirm the presence of effective influx of mink into the wild from fur farms, determined through the means of analyzing microsatellite genotype data of feral and farm populations.

Functional genetic diversity of domestic and wild American mink (Neovison vison).

The release of domestic organisms to the wild threatens biodiversity because the introduction of domestic genes through interbreeding can negatively impact wild conspecifics via outbreeding depression. In North America, farmed American mink (Neovison vison) frequently escape captivity, yet the impact of these events on functional genetic diversity of wild mink populations is unclear. We characterized domestic and wild mink in Ontario at 17 trinucleotide microsatellites located in functional genes thought to be associated with traits affected by domestication. We found low functional genetic diversity in both mink types, as only four of 17 genes were variable, yet allele frequencies varied widely between captive and wild populations. To determine whether allele frequencies of wild populations were affected by geographic location, we performed redundancy analysis and spatial analysis of principal components on three polymorphic loci (AR, ATN1 and IGF‐1). We found evidence to suggest domestic release events are affecting the functional genetic diversity of wild mink, as sPCA showed clear distinctions between wild individuals near mink farms and those located in areas without mink farms. This is further substantiated through RDA, where spatial location was associated with genetic variation of AR, ATN1 and IGF1.

Hybridization of domestic mink with wild American mink (Neovison vison) in eastern Canada

Farmed American mink (Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777)) pose a risk to biodiversity owing to escape and release from farms. Feral mink may affect native species in locations where American mink are not endemic, such as Europe. In contrast, escaping domestic mink may hybridize with wild mink in North America, leading to introgression of domestic traits via hybrid-mediated gene flow. We tested this idea in eastern Canada, which has a history of mink farming. We sampled known domestic and free-ranging mink, and profiled 508 individuals at 15 microsatellite loci. We found that 33% of free-ranging mink were either escaped domestic individuals, domestic–wild hybrids, or were introgressed to domestic or wild parental groups. The greatest prevalence of free-ranging domestic, hybrid, or introgressed mink (59%) occurred in Nova Scotia, which also had the most mink farms. Historic (1980s or earlier) mink sampled from museums had higher allelic richness and private allelic richness than contemporary wild mink. Domestic mink are artificially selected for traits desired by farmers, and as such, introgression with wild mink may lead to a loss of local adaptation. Our findings demonstrate that continued escape and release of mink could pose risks to the maintenance of genetic integrity in wild mink.

Development of indices to estimate fat reserves in the wild American mink (Neovison vison)

Insight into body fat dynamics of wild mustelids could help to monitor changes in their nutritional status. Adipose tissue depots of wild American mink (Neovison vison, n = 50) were dissected to determine how fat was distributed throughout the body and to develop practical and reliable indices to estimate percent body fat in harvested mink. The average percent body fat of mink caught between July and April was 6.2 %, which is very low compared to previously studied farm-bred mink (adult females in summer = 20 %, subadult males in winter = 38 %). Most of the dissected adipose tissue was located in the subcutaneous (SC) fat layer (≈81 %) confirming earlier data on farmed mink. The total fat masses were higher in the subadults/adults than in the juveniles and in the male mink compared to the females. The mass of the SC fat layer was the best predictor for total fat mass (R 2 = 0.98) and percent body fat (R 2 = 0.89) when using simple regressions. As this depot can be laborious and difficult to remove with consistency, the omental fat mass could be also used as a predictor for total fat mass (R 2 = 0.70) and percent body fat (R 2 = 0.42) in juveniles and the retroperitoneal fat mass in subadults/adults (R 2 = 0.80 and 0.79, respectively). We also evaluated the different fat depots using the part-whole methodology by removing the mass of the fat depot of interest from the dependent variable. According to the part-whole regressions, the masses of the omental (R 2 = 0.66) and mesenteric depots (R 2 = 0.56) were the best predictors for total fat mass in the juveniles and the masses of the retroperitoneal (R 2 = 0.78) and diaphragmatic depots (R 2 = 0.77) in the subadults/adults. Based on both simple and part-whole regressions, omental fat can be suggested as a predictor for total fat mass in juvenile mink and retroperitoneal fat in subadult/adult mink due to their relatively good predictive power and ease of dissection.

Environmental pollutants and alterations in the reproductive system in wild male mink (Neovison vison) from Sweden

The wild American mink, a semi-aquatic top predator, is exposed to high levels of environmental pollutants that may affect its reproductive system. In this study, the reproductive organs from 101 wild male mink collected in Sweden were examined during necropsy. Potential associations between various variables of the reproductive system and fat concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) and other organochlorine pesticides and liver concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were investigated using multiple regression models. The anogenital distance was negatively associated (p<0.05) with concentration of p,p′-DDE and some PFAAs (perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) and ∑PFAA). Penis length was positively associated with PCB 28, PCB 47/48, PCB 52 and PCB 110 (p<0.05), and some of these congeners were also associated with baculum length and penis weight. In contrast, penile length tended (p<0.1) to be shorter in mink with high concentrations of p,p′-DDE. These data may help to improve the understanding of how environmental pollution affects male reproduction in both wildlife and humans. Overall, the study suggests endocrine disrupting effects in wild mink and identifies potentially important pollutants in the complex mixture of contaminants in the environment. In addition, the results suggest that the variables of the reproductive system of male mink used in this study are good candidates for use as indicators of environmental pollution affecting the mammalian reproductive system.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis ofBabesiasp. NV-1 Detected from Wild American Mink (Neovison vison) in Hokkaido, Japan

Babesiosis is a tick-borne protozoan disease affecting many mammalian species worldwide, caused by the intraerythrocytic multiplication of Babesia spp. The present study aimed to detect the presence of Babesia sp. in 13 American mink from Hokkaido, Japan. One of 13 animals was positive, as indicated by nested PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA (SSU rDNA) and subunit 7 (eta) of the chaperonin-containing t-complex polypeptide 1 (CCT7) genes from species of Babesia and Theileria. Sequencing of the PCR product of SSU rDNA revealed 99% homology to the isolates of Babesia sp. SAP#131 found in raccoons in Hokkaido, whereas that of the CCT7 gene showed 80% homology to the isolates of Babesia gibsoni in dogs as determined by BLAST analysis. We refer to the cognate sequence as Babesia sp. NV-1. Phylogenetic analyses of SSU rDNA and CCT7 genes from Babesia sp. NV-1 revealed them to be most closely related to the Babesia sp. SAP#131 from a raccoon in Hokkaido and to canine B. gibsoni, respectively. Here, we provide the first molecular evidence of the Babesia sp. NV-1 parasite in feral American mink ( Neovison vison ) in Hokkaido, Japan.

Comparison of Hepatic and Nephric Total Mercury Concentrations Between Feral and Ranch American Mink (Neovison vison) from Northwestern Poland

For many years the American mink (Neovison vison) has been used in North America (where it originates from) as a sensitive indirect bioindicator in assessing the degree of mercury (Hg) contamination in terrestrial ecosystems. The aim of this paper was the determination of total concentrations of Hg in the liver and kidneys of feral and ranch mink from the Warta Mouth National Park (WMNP) and from farms located in northwestern Poland, for comparison with similar data on American mink from North America. In road-killed feral mink from the WMNP, the mean concentrations were 11.8 and 14.1 mg/kg dry weight in the liver and kidney, respectively. Mean Hg concentrations in feral mink were from 240 to 90 times higher in these two respective tissues than in ranch mink. The feral mink from northwestern Poland had concentrations of hepatic and nephric Hg similar to the highest concentrations that have been recorded over the past several decades in wild American mink from certain areas of Canada and the USA.

Mink Farms Predict Aleutian Disease Exposure in Wild American Mink

BackgroundInfectious diseases can often be of conservation importance for wildlife. Spillover, when infectious disease is transmitted from a reservoir population to sympatric wildlife, is a particular threat. American mink (Neovison vison) populations across Canada appear to be declining, but factors thus far explored have not fully explained this population trend. Recent research has shown, however, that domestic mink are escaping from mink farms and hybridizing with wild mink. Domestic mink may also be spreading Aleutian disease (AD), a highly pathogenic parvovirus prevalent in mink farms, to wild mink populations. AD could reduce fitness in wild mink by reducing both the productivity of adult females and survivorship of juveniles and adults.MethodsTo assess the seroprevalence and geographic distribution of AD infection in free-ranging mink in relation to the presence of mink farms, we conducted both a large-scale serological survey, across the province of Ontario, and a smaller-scale survey, at the interface between a mink farm and wild mink.Conclusions/SignificanceAntibodies to AD were detected in 29% of mink (60 of 208 mink sampled); however, seroprevalence was significantly higher in areas closer to mink farms than in areas farther from farms, at both large and small spatial scales. Our results indicate that mink farms act as sources of AD transmission to the wild. As such, it is likely that wild mink across North America may be experiencing increased exposure to AD, via disease transmission from mink farms, which may be affecting wild mink demographics across their range. In light of declining mink populations, high AD seroprevalence within some mink farms, and the large number of mink farms situated across North America, improved biosecurity measures on farms are warranted to prevent continued disease transmission at the interface between mink farms and wild mink populations.

The Smell of New Competitors: The Response of American Mink,Mustela vison, to the Odours of Otter,Lutra lutraand Polecat,M. putorius

AbstractWe tested the response of wild American mink (an established alien species in the UK), to the odours of unfamiliar mink, European polecat and Eurasian otter. Polecats are similar in size and habits to mink, otters are larger than mink and a dominant competitor; both are native to the UK and both were absent during the original colonization by mink but are now undergoing natural population recoveries. The response of mink to experimental odours was assessed by counting the numbers of tracks (footprints) on rafts treated with anal gland secretions, and compared with response to a control raft, on two rivers in the Upper Thames valley, UK. Remote video showed that the number of tracks was positively correlated with the time that mink spent investigating an odour. We found that mink were attracted to the odours of both unfamiliar mink and polecats. There was little evidence that mink avoided the odour of otters. We suggest that, during an encounter with a polecat, mink may behave much as they would to a conspecific. We infer from the response of mink to the odour of otters, that, if mink do avoid otters, the mechanism of avoidance is likely to be complex, situation‐dependent and perhaps affected by prior experience.

Hybridization between escaped domestic and wild American mink (Neovison vison)

The release of domesticated organisms into natural populations may adversely affect these populations through predation, resource competition, and the introduction of disease. Additionally, the potential for hybridization between wild and domestic conspecifics is of great concern because it can alter the evolutionary integrity of the affected populations. Wild American mink (Neovison vison) populations may be threatened not only by competition for resources with domestic mink originating from farms, but by breeding with such escapees. Using 10 microsatellite loci, we genotyped mink from Ontario, Canada, sampled from two farms, two putatively mixed populations in regions surrounding the mink farms, and two wild populations with no recent history of mink farming. Using individual-based Bayesian population assignment, we identified four population clusters, including one wild, and three domestic populations. The latter were not clustered by farm but rather by distinct line-bred colour phases. Population clustering also identified domestic and hybrid mink in the free-ranging populations. Nearly two-thirds of the mink sampled in the two putatively mixed populations (78% and 43%) were either farm escapees or descendants of escapees. Principal components analysis of allele frequencies supported our Bayesian assignment results. The power of our assignment test was assessed using simulated hybrid genotypes which suggested that our overall correct classification rate was 96.2%. The overwhelming presence of domestic animals and their hybridization with mink in natural populations is of great concern for the future sustainability of wild mink populations.

Comparison of methods to separate wild American mink from fur farm escapees

Comparison of methods to separate wild American mink from fur farm escapees

Strength characteristics of mink Mustela vison limb bones

The effects of sex and age of wild American mink Mustela vison Schreber, 1777 were investigated on four characteristics (thickness and cross-sectional area, shear force, and shear stress) of humeri and femurs.