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Experimental evaluation of the reliability of placental scar counts in American mink (Mustela vison)

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Abstract

Counting of placental scars in the uterus is a valuable method to estimate female fecundity in wild-ranging mammalian populations, but the reliability of placental scar counts (PSC) has only been thoroughly assessed for a few species. Here we evaluate the reliability of PSC in American mink (Mustela vison) through examination of farm animals with known reproductive history. PSC estimated pregnancy rate and litter size accurately in individuals up to 3 months postpartum. Placental scars were detectable in most female American mink sampled 7–8 months postpartum, but the proportion of minks misclassified as barren was overestimated, and mean litter size was underestimated. We found a large variation in the intensity of pigmentation in placental scars with similar age. Differentiation of scars according to shading as indicating either successful full-term pregnancies or post-implantation loss of embryos was not possible. We propose that these results are applicable for fecundity analysis in American mink and closely related mustelids.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Karen Serup for counts of litter sizes and collection of carcasses. Lise Vølund and two anonymous reviewers are thanked for their valuable comments and suggestions on earlier drafts of the manuscript. Danish Fur Breeders Association, the Danish Forest and Nature Agency, and the Danish Animal Welfare Society partly funded the study.

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  1. Morten Elmeros

    Present address: Otter Conservation Consult, Vester Altanvej 4, 3.th., 8900, Randers, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amphi Consult, Forskerparken 10, 5230, Odense, M, Denmark

    Morten Elmeros

  2. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Biodiversity, National Environmental Research Institute, Grenåvej 14, 8410, Rønde, Denmark

    Mette Hammershøj

  3. Department of Population Ecology, Zoological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Mette Hammershøj

Authors
  1. Morten Elmeros
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  2. Mette Hammershøj
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Correspondence to Morten Elmeros.

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Elmeros, M., Hammershøj, M. Experimental evaluation of the reliability of placental scar counts in American mink (Mustela vison). Eur J Wildl Res 52, 132–135 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-005-0014-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-005-0014-2

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