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Distribution and occupancy of Atlantic salt marsh mink (Neovison vison lutensis) in Northeastern Florida (USA)

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Abstract

Salt marsh is a unique and biologically productive ecosystem characterized by relatively few endemic terrestrial vertebrates. Salt marsh continues to decline worldwide and the persistence of species restricted to salt marsh may depend on understanding characteristics associated with their use of these ecosystems. Atlantic salt marsh mink (Neovison vison lutensis) were historically found throughout Northeastern Florida (USA) but their numbers and distribution may have declined following coastal development beginning in the 1800s. Information on their current distribution and ecology in Florida is unknown but they are suspected of being restricted to salt marsh. Between 2013 and 2015, we conducted camera surveys for mink in 42.1 km2 units in salt marsh to determine their occupancy, extent of occurrence, and drivers of habitat use. We measured 20 site-specific environmental covariates to model occupancy and detectability. Mink were detected in a 226 km2 area within 14 km of the Atlantic coast between two of the region’s major rivers. We found positive associations in our top overall occupancy model between mink and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) biomass and between detectability and low marsh dominated by cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora). Our detection data provides further support that mink may be endemic to coastal salt marsh in Florida and that they currently occupy approximately half the northern portion of their historical distribution. We suggest that the long-term persistence of Atlantic salt marsh mink in Florida may depend on the presence of healthy and functional low marsh where aquatic food resources, particularly blue crab, are locally abundant.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We also thank the North Florida Land Trust for facilitating housing during year two of the study.

Funding

Funding and logistical support provided by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Central Connecticut State University Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, 06050, USA

    Paul Hapeman & Agnes Kosciolek

  2. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA

    Lisa M. Smith

  3. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 3911 Co Rd 2321, Panama City, FL, 32409, USA

    Chris Winchester & Jeffery A. Gore

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  1. Paul Hapeman
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  2. Lisa M. Smith
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  3. Agnes Kosciolek
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  4. Chris Winchester
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Contributions

Chris Winchester and Lisa Smith were primarily responsible for collection of detection data. Paul Hapeman and Agnes Kosciolek were primarily responsible for collection of covariate data. Paul Hapeman conducted the analysis and wrote the manuscript with other co-authors participating in the editing process.

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Correspondence to Paul Hapeman.

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Communicated by: Andrzej Zalewski

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Hapeman, P., Smith, L.M., Kosciolek, A. et al. Distribution and occupancy of Atlantic salt marsh mink (Neovison vison lutensis) in Northeastern Florida (USA). Mamm Res 66, 541–551 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-021-00584-5

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