scholarly journals High Trophic Niche Overlap between a Native and Invasive Mink Does Not Drive Trophic Displacement of the Native Mink during an Invasion Process

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1387
Author(s):  
Karla García ◽  
Carola Sanpera ◽  
Lluís Jover ◽  
Santiago Palazón ◽  
Joaquim Gosálbez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Mustela Lutreola ◽  
Invasion Process ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
European Mink ◽  
Trophic Overlap

The pressure elicited by invasive species on native species significantly increases with the increase of the overlap of their ecological niches. Still, the specific mechanisms of the trophic displacement of native species during the invasion process are unclear. The effects of the invasive American mink (Neovison vison) on the critically endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola) was assessed by analyses of diet and niche overlap during the invasion process. To do this, the isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) of both species of mink and their four main types of prey was analysed. Significant trophic overlap between the native European mink and invasive American mink was found when they coexisted in sympatry. Furthermore, both mink species were characterised by significant individual variation in diet and no obvious change in diet of the native species in response to the arrival of the introduced species was observed. High niche overlap registered between both species in sympatry with no displacement in diet of the native mink in response to the arrival of the invasive mink is expected to have important consequences for the viability and conservation of the native mink populations, as it suggests high competitive pressure.

scholarly journals Trophic ecology of sea urchins in coral-rocky reef systems, Ecuador

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Cabanillas-Terán ◽  
Peggy Loor-Andrade ◽  
Ruber Rodríguez-Barreras ◽  
Jorge Cortés
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Rocky Reef ◽  
Trophic Overlap

Sea urchins are important grazers and influence reef development in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP).Diadema mexicanumandEucidaris thouarsiiare the most important sea urchins on the Ecuadorian coastal reefs. This study provided a trophic scenario for these two species of echinoids in the coral-rocky reef bottoms of the Ecuadorian coast, using stable isotopes. We evaluated the relative proportion of algal resources assimilated, and trophic niche of the two sea urchins in the most southern coral-rocky reefs of the ETP in two sites with different disturbance level. Bayesian models were used to estimate the contribution of algal sources, niche breadth, and trophic overlap between the two species. The sea urchins behaved as opportunistic feeders, although they showed differential resource assimilation.Eucidaris thouarsiiis the dominant species in disturbed environments; likewise, their niche amplitude was broader than that ofD. mexicanumwhen conditions were not optimal. However, there was no niche overlap between the species. The Stable Isotope Analysis in R (SIAR) indicated that both sea urchins shared limiting resources in the disturbed area, mainlyDictyotaspp. (contributions of up to 85% forD. mexicanumand up to 75% forE. thouarsii). The Stable Isotope Bayesian Ellipses in R (SIBER) analysis results indicated less interspecific competition in the undisturbed site. Our results suggested a trophic niche partitioning between sympatric sea urchin species in coastal areas of the ETP, but the limitation of resources could lead to trophic overlap and stronger habitat degradation.

Rapid expansion of the American mink poses a serious threat to the European mink in Spain

Mammalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 580-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madis Põdra ◽  
Asunción Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Significant Variation ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Mustela Lutreola ◽  
Expansion Process ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
European Mink ◽  
Feral Populations ◽  
The Status

Abstract The American mink (Neovison vison) was introduced in Europe for fur farming in the 1920s and feral populations were formed due to escapes or intentional releases to the wild thereafter. Nowadays, the species is widely distributed across much of the continent, and is considered the main cause of extinction of the European mink (Mustela lutreola). In Spain, the first populations of the American mink were formed in the 1980s and since then a continuous expansion in their range has been observed. We describe the expansion process of the American mink based on reports of its distribution in the literature, focusing particularly on its increasing overlap with the distribution of the native, endangered European mink. Over the 27 years (1985–2012), the distribution area of non-native mink in Spain increased by 17 times, with an average annual increment of 16.5% and no significant variation among populations. By 2012, a quarter of continental Spain was occupied by the American mink and its presence was confirmed in one-third of the distribution area of the European mink. The status of native mink has worsened drastically in Spain over the last years and urgent conservation measures are required to stop further spread of the American mink.

PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODY TO ALEUTIAN MINK DISEASE VIRUS IN EUROPEAN MINK (MUSTELA LUTREOLA) AND AMERICAN MINK (NEOVISON VISON) IN SPAIN

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sisco Mañas ◽  
Asunción Gómez ◽  
Victoria Asensio ◽  
Santiago Palazón ◽  
Madis Podra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Neovison Vison ◽  
Mustela Lutreola ◽  
European Mink ◽  
Aleutian Mink Disease Virus

scholarly journals A Microbial Tale of Farming, Invasion and Conservation: On the Gut Bacteria of European and American Mink in Western Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline ML Van Leeuwen ◽  
Albrecht I Schulte-Hostedde ◽  
Christine Fournier-Chambrillon ◽  
Pascal Fournier ◽  
Lise-Marie Pigneur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Bacterial Composition ◽  
European Mink ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Impact

Abstract One of the threats that the critically endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola) faces throughout its relict range, including the occidental population, is the impact of the American mink (Mustela vison) invasion in its natural habitat. We aimed to explore the differences in microbiota and genetic diversity between European and American mink to test phylosymbiosis theory. We investigated the gut microbiota composition of European and American mink in a controlled environment (captive breeding compounds and fur farms respectively) to account for the impact of the environment on gut bacterial composition. We compared them to the gut microbiota of both mink species in the natural environment across multiple habitats. Our exploratory results showed differences between free-ranging and captive individuals, with more extreme changes in American mink compared to European mink. However, feral American mink from a long-established population exhibited gut bacterial composition closer to the free-ranging native species compared to more recently established feral populations. This result could be explained by dietary shifts in the area sampled based on prey availability through different landscape, but also to a lesser extent due to greater genetic differentiation. This exploratory work contributes to the scarce literature currently available on the dynamics between gut microbiota and mammal invasion.

PCR-RFLP identification of mustelid species: European mink (Mustela lutreola), American mink (M. vison) and polecat (M. putorius) by analysis of excremental DNA

2004 ◽  
Vol 262 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Gmez-Moliner ◽  
M. T. Cabria ◽  
J. Rubines ◽  
I. Garin ◽  
M. J. Madeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
American Mink ◽  
Mustela Lutreola ◽  
European Mink ◽  
Pcr Rflp

scholarly journals Behavioral Interactions and Trophic Overlap between Invasive Signal Crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Decapoda, Astacidae) and Native Fishes in Iberian Rivers

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iván Vedia ◽  
David Almeida ◽  
Amaia Rodeles ◽  
Pedro Leunda ◽  
Enrique Baquero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Pacifastacus Leniusculus ◽  
Isotopic Niche ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Signal Crayfish ◽  
Behavioral Interactions ◽  
Native Fishes ◽  
Trophic Overlap ◽  
Iberian Rivers

The signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, 1852 is a successful invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula. This is of particular conservation concern, as fish fauna is highly endemic and also threatened within this ecoregion. The aim of this study was to analyze behavioral interactions and trophic overlap between signal crayfish and native fishes in Iberian rivers (northern Spain). Video cameras were used to record fish “dominance/evasion” after spatial encounters with crayfish. Diet composition and isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ15N) were compared to evaluate the niche overlap. Fish were dominant in 25% of the encounters with juvenile crayfish, whereas this percentage was only 4% with adult crayfish. Observations showed a high fish “evasion” response for Pyrenean stone loach Barbatula quignardi (Bǎcescu-Meşter, 1967) (>30%). Dietary results showed a high trophic overlap between signal crayfish with the pelagic Pyrenean minnow Phoxinus bigerri Kottelat, 2007 and the benthic loach. However, the isotopic niche overlap was low, with brown trout Salmo trutta L., 1758 showing the highest area (only 0.1 ‰2). Overall, our findings suggest that interferences may occur with native species for food (i.e., benthic invertebrates). Consequently, measures should be applied to control invasive crayfish in Iberian rivers.

Helminth communities of the autochthonous mustelids Mustela lutreola and M. putorius and the introduced Mustela vison in south-western France

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Torres ◽  
J. Miquel ◽  
P. Fournier ◽  
C. Fournier-Chambrillon ◽  
M. Liberge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Worm Burden ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Helminth Species ◽  
Mustela Lutreola ◽  
Helminth Community ◽  
European Mink ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Helminth Communities

AbstractThis study presents the first comprehensive helminthological data on three sympatric riparian mustelids (the European mink Mustela lutreola, the polecat M. putorius and the American mink M. vison) in south-western France. One hundred and twenty-four specimens (45 M. lutreola, 37 M. putorius and 42 M. vison) from eight French departments were analysed. Globally, 15 helminth species were detected: Troglotrema acutum, Pseudamphistomum truncatum, Euryhelmis squamula, Euparyphium melis and Ascocotyle sp. (Trematoda), Taenia tenuicollis (Cestoda), Eucoleus aerophilus, Pearsonema plica, Aonchotheca putorii, Strongyloides mustelorum, Molineus patens, Crenosoma melesi, Filaroides martis and Skrjabingylus nasicola (Nematoda) and larval stages of Centrorhynchus species (Acanthocephala). The autochthonous European mink harboured the highest species richness (13 species) followed by the polecat with 11 species. The introduced American mink presented the most depauperate helminth community (nine species). The prevalence and worm burden of most of the helminths found in M. putorius and M. lutreola were also higher than those of M. vison. Some characteristics of their helminth communities were compared to relatively nearby populations (Spain) and other very distant populations (Belarus). This comparison emphasized M. patens as the most frequent parasite in all of the analysed mustelid populations. It was possible to conclude that the invasive M. vison contributes to the maintenance of the life cycle of the pathogenic T. acutum and S. nasicola helminths, with possible implications for the conservation of the endangered European mink.

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