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Demographic structure of three riparian mustelid species in Spain

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Abstract

Age estimation of three mustelid species with similar body size was performed in Northern Spain. Canine samples of 1766 carcasses from 1661 American mink (Neovison vison), 54 European mink (Mustela lutreola), and 51 European polecats (Mustela putorius) were sectioned, and cementum annuli counts in tooth sections were used for age estimation. American mink samples consisted primarily of trap-captured animals from governmental control campaigns, whereas road casualties were the principal origin of European mink and European polecat carcasses. Individuals prior to their first breeding season (class 0+) represented approximately half of all animals, with no significant differences between species or causes of death. Differences in sub-adult percentages were observed between the pre- and post-reproductive period, with a high mortality during the dispersal-winter period in all three species. Frequencies of mortality of the sub-adult age class were 0.46, 0.50, and 0.55 for American mink, European mink, and European polecat, respectively. Survival rates of the American mink were higher than those of the native species. The oldest animals detected were 7+, 5+, and 3+ years old for the American mink, European mink, and European polecat, respectively. No differences were observed in mean age of animals found dead as road casualties in all three species or between captured American mink and road casualties. The information obtained is of high value for understanding the demographic processes of the populations and particularly for conservation and management decisions for these species.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank G. Matson, D. Camps, J.M. López-Martín, M. Ferrer, M. Pérez-Haro, B. Minobis, S. Oreca, C. Aguilar, J. López de Luzuriaga, J. Pinedo, J. González-Esteban, Y. Melero, P. Lizarraga, O.E. Alarcia, L. Lopo, J. Carreras, C. Temiño, S. Brizuela, I. Molina, J.M. Meneses, M. Alcántara, J. M. González, L. Lobo, G. Belamentia, E. Castién, and L.M. González and all of the rehabilitation centers in Spain as well as the many individuals who collected animals or samples and collaborated in this project. Field research on control of American mink and this study were supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Spanish Environment Department, Gobierno de La Rioja, Diputación Foral de Álava, Junta de Castilla y León, Gobierno de Aragón, Generalitat Valenciana, Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz, and different European LIFE programs: LIFE 00/NAT/E 7335, LIFE 00/NAT/E 7299, LIFE 00/NAT/E 7331, LIFE 02/NAT/E 8604, and LIFE CO-OP 2003/NAT/CP/E/000002.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. General Direction of Environment and Biodiversity, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Government of Catalonia, Dr. Roux 80, 08017, Barcelona, Spain

    Sisco Mañas, Santiago Palazón & Jordi Ruiz-Olmo

  2. Tragsatec, Division of Environmental Services, Julian Camarrillo 6A-4A Planta, Sector B, 28037, Madrid, Spain

    Asunción Gómez

  3. Tragsatec, Centro de Cría de Lince Ibérico de Zarza de Granadilla, Finca las Correderas, 10710, Zarza de Granadilla, Spain

    Victoria Asensio

  4. Department of Animal Biology (Vertebrates), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Santiago Palazón

  5. Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tallinn University, Narva Road 25, Tallinn, 10120, Estonia

    Madis Pǒdra

  6. Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

    Jordi Casal

  7. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)–IRTA, Campus UAB, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

    Jordi Casal

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  1. Sisco Mañas
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  2. Asunción Gómez
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  3. Victoria Asensio
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  4. Santiago Palazón
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  5. Madis Pǒdra
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  7. Jordi Ruiz-Olmo
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Correspondence to Sisco Mañas.

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Mañas, S., Gómez, A., Asensio, V. et al. Demographic structure of three riparian mustelid species in Spain. Eur J Wildl Res 62, 119–129 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-015-0982-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-015-0982-9

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