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David W Macdonald - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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persistence in diving American Mink
Animal Biotelemetry, 2015Co-Authors: Laura Fasola, Lauren A Harrington, Joanna M Bagniewska, Tom Hart, Andrew L Harrington, David W MacdonaldAbstract:American Mink forage on land and in water, with aquatic prey often constituting a large proportion of their diet. Their long, thin body shape and relatively poor insulation make them vulnerable to heat loss, particularly in water, yet some individuals dive over 100 times a day. At the level of individual dives, previous research found no difference in dive depth or duration, or the total number of dives per day between seasons, but Mink did appear to make more dives per active hour in winter than in summer. There was also no difference in the depth or duration of individual dives between the sexes, but there was some evidence that females made more dives per day than males. However, because individual Mink dives tend to be extremely short in duration, persistence (quantified as the number of consecutive dives performed) may be a more appropriate metric with which to compare diving behaviour under different scenarios. Mink performed up to 28 consecutive dives, and dived continually for up to 36 min. Periods of more loosely aggregated diving (termed ‘aquatic activity sessions’) comprised up to 80 dives, carried out over up to 162.8 min. Contrary to our predictions, persistence was inversely proportional to body weight, with small animals more persistent than large ones, and (for females, but not for males) increased with decreasing temperature. For both sexes, persistence was greater during the day than during the night. The observed body weight effect may point to inter-sexual niche partitioning, since in Mink the smallest animals are females and the largest are males. The results may equally point to individual specialism’s, since persistence was also highly variable among individuals. Given the energetic costs involved, the extreme persistence of some animals observed in winter suggests that the costs of occasional prolonged activity in cold water are outweighed by the energetic gains. Analysing dive persistence can provide information on an animal’s physical capabilities for performing multiple dives and may reveal how such behaviour is affected by different conditions. Further development of monitoring and biologging methodology to allow quantification of hunting success, and thus the rewards obtained under alternative scenarios, would be insightful.
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controlling invasive species by empowering environmental stakeholders ecotourism boat operators as potential guardians of wildlife against the invasive American Mink
Oryx, 2014Co-Authors: Elaine J Fraser, David W Macdonald, Rosalind Bryce, Xavier LambinAbstract:People who have a stake in their environment are more likely to volunteer to assist conservation but they must be empowered to do so. This study explored the possibility of harnessing volunteers in the control of an invasive predator, the American Mink Neovison vison, which decimates seabird colonies in coastal west Scotland. A questionnaire was sent to ecotourism boat operators, a group assumed to have an economic interest in wildlife biodiversity and a stake in their environment, to gauge their opinion on lethal control of American Mink. The majority (64%) of respondents were concerned about the presence of Mink in their area, agreed with control in principle and were willing to become involved in a volunteer capacity. Respondents who would not volunteer but agreed with control (21%) might reconsider if Mink had a visible impact on their local wildlife. The minimum level of support people expected was information on where to get, and how to deploy, monitoring and trapping equipment. This study confirms that people with an intrinsic interest in wildlife consider themselves willing to protect their local biodiversity, with only limited resource input, such as an information pack, from external sources.
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a foe in woe American Mink neovison vison diet changes during a population decrease
Mammalian Biology, 2014Co-Authors: David W Macdonald, Rannveig Magnusdottir, Menja Von Schmalensee, Robert A Stefansson, Pall HersteinssonAbstract:Abstract The invasive American Mink has been a component of Iceland's fauna since the 1930s. Hunting statistics indicate that until 2003 the population size was increasing, but thereafter decreased rapidly. The Icelandic marine environment has experienced various changes in recent years, including rising sea temperature and sand-eel collapse followed by seabird recruitment failure and population declines. Furthermore the arctic fox population has increased at least six-fold in the last three decades. Mink stomach content analysis in the period 2001–2009 revealed diet changes, and signs of reduced prey availability for this generalist predator, that were most significant in males. The most marked shift in composition was a decrease in consumption of birds. Our findings suggest that climate events, together with competition with increasing numbers of arctic foxes over terrestrial food, contributed to the sharp reduction in the Mink population from 2004 and onwards. Despite their generalist behaviour, Mink have apparently failed to respond fully to these environmental changes, and this susceptibility may benefit attempts to control their numbers. The results are relevant to the ability of top predators in general to cope with diverse ecosystem alterations triggered by climate change.
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range expansion and prey use of American Mink in argentinean patagonia dilemmas for conservation
European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2011Co-Authors: Laura Fasola, Jua Muzio, Claudio Ernesto Cheheba, Marcelo H Cassini, David W MacdonaldAbstract:Following the establishment of American Mink farms outside North America, the species has successfully invaded Europe and South America, and in some places, their presence demonstrably threatens native biodiversity. We surveyed for Mink signs along the Andean Patagonian forest in Argentina from 38°52′ S to 54°52′ S, revealing that their range has now expanded to span 800 km of contiguous occupation on the continent including several types of wetlands and has also colonised Tierra del Fuego Island. Rate of expansion was estimated using two methodologies and varied between 5.53 and 9.00 km/year (linear method, large-scale spread) and 4.86 km/year (within a more restricted area, grid method). Diet throughout the region fitted the generalist pattern described for Mink elsewhere. Native small mammals were the most frequently consumed category. Crustaceans (patchily distributed in the region) occurred in the diet in proportion to their availability (rs=0.961, p<0.001), but that of waterfowl did not (rs=0.178, p=0.713). Diet was evaluated at one lake throughout a year, revealing that consumption of crustaceans fell in the cold months when bird abundance increased. Based on published work on the impact of American Mink as an introduced species in Patagonia and elsewhere, together with our own survey, we discuss the implications of this invasion for biodiversity conservation in Argentinean Patagonia and the associated dilemmas for management policy.
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the accuracy of scat identification in distribution surveys American Mink neovison vison in the northern highlands of scotland
European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2010Co-Authors: Laure A Harringto, Andrew L Harringto, Joelene Hughes, David Stirling, David W MacdonaldAbstract:Distribution data for elusive species are often based on detection of field signs rather than of the animal itself. However, identifying field signs can be problematic. We present here the results of a survey for American Mink, Neovison vison, in the northern highlands of Scotland to demonstrate the importance of verifying field sign identification. Three experienced surveyors located scats, which they identified as Mink scats, at seven of 147 sites surveyed and “possible” Mink scats at a further 50 sites. Mitochondrial DNA was successfully extracted from 45 of 75 (60%) scats, collected from 31 of the 57 “positive” sites; sequencing of amplified DNA fragments showed that none of these scats was actually of Mink origin. We consider the implications of erroneous survey data and the potential waste of resources and misdirection of conservation/management actions. We discuss potential methods that may be useful to verify field sign identification, including the use of DNA analysis, and stress that verification is crucial to ensure rigorous and reliable survey data.
Andrzej Zalewski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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expansion and population dynamics of a non native invasive species the 40 year history of American Mink colonisation of poland
Biological Invasions, 2019Co-Authors: Marcin Brzezinski, Michal żmihorski, Aleksandra Zarzycka, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:The American Mink, an invasive mammal introduced to Europe, severely impacts native biodiversity. The history of its invasion has been poorly investigated in central and eastern Europe, and the current variations in densities of Mink populations are not well studied, thus making a reduction of its impact difficult. Here we analyse the temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of the American Mink population in Poland, which began to establish itself at the beginning of the 1980s and originated from Polish farm escapees and immigrants from Lithuania and Belarus. Mink dispersal started in the north and continued to the south and in 2016 Mink occurrence was recorded across ca. 75% of the country. By about 1997 Mink had colonised half of Poland, and in 2016 the only Mink-free area was in the south and south-east of the country. The rate of expansion showed accelerating and decelerating patterns, and reached its maximum 12 years after the beginning of the expansion. Mink farming in western Poland developed rapidly after 2000 and probably influenced acceleration of Mink range expansion rates in years 2006–2008. Indices of Mink densities showed significant nonlinear change over time since local populations were established and were highest in populations estimated to be 10–15 years old. The prediction of non-native species invasion rates and population dynamics should be incorporated into management actions curbing their negative impact on native fauna.
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water vole arvicola amphibius population under the impact of the American Mink neovison vison are small midfield ponds safe refuges against this invasive predator
Mammalian Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Marcin Brzezinski, Andrzej Zalewski, Patrycja Chibowska, Tomasz Borowik, Ewa KomarAbstract:Abstract The American Mink Neovison vison is an invasive carnivore which may significantly affect populations of the water vole Arvicola amphibius. However, its impact on this rodent species depends on the abundance, dispersion and configuration of the habitats suitable for water voles and their accessibility for the Mink. Using live-trapping, we studied the water vole and American Mink populations inhabiting midfield ponds located in the vicinity of a large lake. In the same area, the Mink diet was described after collecting and analysing scats. During four spring seasons, the water vole density gradually increased and no population peaks or crashes were observed. The maximum recorded density was 9.0 individuals/1 km of pond shoreline. Water voles displayed high year-to-year population turnover: less than 5% of the marked individuals were recaptured in the following year. In April–July, the exchange of individuals in the population during one-month periods was also high and usually exceeded 50%. Water vole remains were found in Mink scats in all seasons, and the highest overall percentage biomass of water vole in Mink diet for a two-months period reached 52.2% in May–June 2012. The results of our study show that at small water bodies adjacent to a large lake, the water vole population may withstand the impact of the invasive American Mink.
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An invasive predator affects habitat use by native prey: American Mink and water vole co‐existence in riparian habitats
Journal of Zoology, 2017Co-Authors: Marcin Brzezinski, P. Ignatiuk, Michał Żmihorski, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:This study examines the occurrence of invasive American Mink Neovison vison and native water voles Arvicola amphibius along the shorelines of eutrophic lakes and at small midfield ponds in the Mazurian Lakeland, north-east (NE) Poland. The main hypothesis tested in this study is that built-up areas and small midfield ponds are avoided by Mink; therefore, they can serve as refuges that protect water voles from Mink predation. Floating rafts were used to monitor Mink and water vole distribution. Mink presence was negatively associated with urbanization at lake shorelines and midfield ponds, and these two characteristics positively correlated with occurrence of water voles in the study area. The probability of occurrence of water voles was significantly lower at sites where Mink occurred. The occupancy rates for Mink at lakes and at midfield ponds were higher in autumn than in spring and conversely the occupancy rates for water voles were higher in spring and lower in autumn. Our study shows that within a postglacial landscape, urban areas and midfield ponds distant from lakes are avoided by the American Mink and thus these areas may function as refuge habitats for water voles and may maintain populations of this rodent at the landscape scale despite the presence of Mink.
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Non-native predator control increases the nesting success of birds: American Mink preying on wader nests
Biological Conservation, 2017Co-Authors: Agnieszka Niemczynowicz, Marcin Brzezinski, Piotr Świętochowski, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:The ongoing decline of breeding wader populations in Europe has been mostly explained by habitat changes and the increasing impact of native predators, but the influence of non-native invasive predators has been neglected. A seven year study of the nesting success of the northern lapwing, common redshank and black-tailed godwit was carried out in Biebrza National Park in north-eastern Poland, alongside the American Mink control programme, which was undertaken with low and high intensities of Mink control. Indices of Mink density, based on the percentage of floating rafts with Mink tracks and the number of Mink trapped per 100 trap-nights, declined with the increasing number of Mink removed in consecutive years. In our model, the Mink control and water level covariates explained most of the variation in daily nest survival rates. A decline in Mink density led to increases in daily survival rates of nests and to the overall nesting success of all three wader species. Lower water levels led to a decrease in the overall daily survival rate (DSR) but this covariate affected DSR differently throughout the breeding season. These results demonstrate that predation by an introduced species, alongside low water levels during the nesting period, can limit the nesting success of multiple wader species, and that American Mink should be considered as a key predator affecting ground-nesting wetland bird populations. Conservation plans for many wader species declining in numbers should include local reductions in Mink populations in order to increase nesting success. Thus, intensive continuous Mink control is recommended for important nesting refuges, utilising adaptive management to ensure control efforts remain sufficiently high.
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an invasive species as an additional parasite reservoir trichinella in introduced American Mink neovison vison
Veterinary Parasitology, 2016Co-Authors: Zuzana Hurnikova, Agnieszka Niemczynowicz, Marta Kolodziejsobocinska, Emilia Dvorožňakova, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:Abstract The American Mink (Neovison vison Schreber, 1777) is one of the most invasive alien mammal species which has been introduced to many countries in Europe, Asia and South America. As a predator which feeds on various prey, American Mink carry many endoparasites; however, data about infection rate and prevalence of different parasites in Mink are limited, especially concerning Trichinella spp. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of American Mink in the circulation of Trichinella species in its introduced range. In total, 812 muscle samples of Mink from six feral populations and three farms in Poland were examined for presence of Trichinella muscle larvae using the artificial HCl–pepsin digestion method. Muscle larvae were found in 27 out of 812 individuals (3.3%) from six localities in western and north-eastern Poland. The intensity of infection varied from 0.1 to 274.8 LPG. The majority of Trichinella-positive individuals – 15 (55.6%) were infected with T. britovi, one with T. spiralis, and one with T. pseudospiralis. Two animals harboured T. britovi and T. spiralis in co-infection and this data confirmed the first report of a mixed Trichinella infection in American Mink.
Santiago Palazón - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODY TO ALEUTIAN Mink DISEASE VIRUS IN EUROPEAN Mink (MUSTELA LUTREOLA) AND American Mink (NEOVISON VISON) IN SPAIN
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Sisco Mañas, Madis Põdra, Asunción Gómez, Santiago Palazón, Jordi Ruiz-olmo, Victoria Asensio, Olga Esther Alarcia, Jordi CasalAbstract:Abstract The European Mink (Mustela lutreola) has undergone a dramatic decline and is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. The invasive American Mink (Neovison vison) is considered the main factor for this decline. However, the American Mink’s introduction and the subsequent ecological concurrence of the two species cannot solely explain the decline or disappearance of the European Mink. Aleutian Mink disease virus (AMDV) is the main health problem in fur farming worldwide, causing varied clinical syndromes that depend on the viral strain and host factors. Infection with AMDV has been speculated to contribute to the decline of the European Mink, but a detailed study has not been performed. To assess the potential effects of AMDV infection on the conservation of the European Mink, we surveyed AMDV antibody in samples from 492 native European Mink and 1,735 feral American Mink collected over 16 yr. The antibody prevalence in European Mink was 32%. There were no statistically significant differen...
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multi season occupancy analysis reveals large scale competitive exclusion of the critically endangered european Mink by the invasive non native American Mink in spain
Biological Conservation, 2014Co-Authors: Giulia Santulli, Yolanda Melero, Joaquim Gosálbez, Santiago Palazón, Xavier LambinAbstract:Understanding changes over time in the distribution of interacting native and invasive species that may be symptomatic of competitive exclusion is critical to identify the need for and effectiveness of management interventions. Occupancy models greatly increase the robustness of inference that can be made from presence/absence data when species are imperfectly detected, and recent novel developments allow for the quantification of the strength of interaction between pairs of species. We used a two-species multi-season occupancy model to quantify the impact of the invasive American Mink on the native European Mink in Spain through the analysis of their co-occurrence pattern over twelve years (2000–2011) in the entire Spanish range of European Mink distribution, where both species were detected by live trapping but American Mink were culled. We detected a negative temporal trend in the rate of occupancy of European Mink and a simultaneous positive trend in the occupancy of American Mink. The species co-occurred less often than expected and the native Mink was more likely to become extinct from sites occupied by the invasive species. Removal of American Mink resulted in a high probability of local extinction where it co-occurred with the endemic Mink, but the overall increase in the probability of occupancy over the last decade indicates that the ongoing management is failing to halt its spread. More intensive culling effort where both species co-exist as well as in adjacent areas where the invasive American Mink is found at high densities is required in order to stop the decline of European Mink.
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Do American Mink kill European Mink? Cautionary message for future recovery efforts
European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2013Co-Authors: Madis Põdra, Asunción Gómez, Santiago PalazónAbstract:An experimental release of the European Mink (Mustela lutreola) was carried out in the Salburua wetland in North Spain between 2008 and 2010. A partial removal of feral American Mink (Neovison vison) was done preceding the release. The survival and the cause of death of each of 27 captive-bred Minks were studied during five months after release. Only 22 % of the Minks (N = 6) survived during whole radio-tracking period. Predation was the most significant cause of mortality (76 %, N = 16). Seven European Minks (33 % of mortality) were killed by another “Mink-size” carnivore—the causes of death of these individuals were of particular interest to clarify possible impact of a few remained American Mink to released European Mink. We used three criteria to identify the exact causes of death of these seven Minks: 1. Comparison of the distances of bite marks with the inter-canine distances of small carnivores, 2. Site descriptions and signs of predators and 3. Density of carnivores within the study area. None of the criteria taken separately allowed the complete identification of the predator species. Summing up the results of all three criteria, a male American Mink was found to be the most likely predator of at least six released European Minks (29 % of overall mortality and 38 % of predated Minks). Our results show that the presence of American Mink, even if the number is estimated to be low, may seriously limit the success of reinforcement or reintroduction of the European Mink.
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morphological variation of introduced species the case of American Mink neovison vison in spain
Mammalian Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Yolanda Melero, Asunción Gómez, Joaquim Gosálbez, Giulia Santulli, Cristina Rodriguezrefojos, Santiago PalazónAbstract:Abstract We studied the morphology of American Mink Neovison vison in five out of the six introduced populations in Spain. The spatial and temporal variation of body weight (BW), body length (BL), tail length, hind-foot length and ear length were analysed. Temporal trends in BW and BL in relation to years since Mink introduction were also analyzed. In addition, we tested the effect of sex, age (juvenile, subadult and adult) and age–sex interaction, on each parameter. Morphological parameters differed between populations, illustrating the high variability of body size of American Mink in different environments, and the phenotypic plasticity of the species. Annual variations were synchronized between populations, suggesting a large-scale effect on all of them. BW and BL showed a decreasing trend in both males and females in relation to years since introduction. This decrease may be related to Mink's diet. Differences in sex and age were found, pointing to sexual dimorphism in adults, subadults and juveniles. The dimorphism in non-adult individuals suggests that subadult males may have a competitive advantage from subadult females in feeding and/or hunting on bigger prey from an early age (resource partitioning hypothesis).
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Evaluating the effect of American Mink, an alien invasive species, on the abundance of a native community: is coexistence possible?
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2012Co-Authors: Yolanda Melero, Joaquim Gosálbez, Jordi Ruiz-olmo, Giulia Santulli, Mireia Plaza, Deli Saavedra, Santiago PalazónAbstract:Loss of biodiversity due to biological invasions is one of the most critical issues our society is facing. American Mink is one of the most nefarious invasive non-native species and has major consequences for diversity, ecosystems and economics. A project to evaluate the impact of American Mink has been carried out in Catalonia since 2000 under the aegis of regional and national government and a European LIFE programme. In this study, we tested whether temporal variations in the relative abundance of native species were related to American Mink. In addition, we compared the abundance of natives before and after Mink arrival. Among the competitors spotted genet and European polecat, Mink abundance and arrival had a significant negative effect on their populations. However, among black rat and fish prey only three native fish species had a negative temporal relation with the abundance of Mink and three fish species showed a significant difference in their abundance before and after Mink arrival. The effect of Mink was significant among species with a higher niche overlap (polecat and genet versus Mink). The persistence and coexistence of the alien and native species seems to depend on heterogeneity, in terms of the based on niche segregation among these species.
Marcin Brzezinski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Recovery of Eurasian Coot Fulica atra and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Breeding Populations in an Area Invaded by the American Mink Neovison vison
Acta Ornithologica, 2019Co-Authors: Michał Walesiak, Grzegorz Górecki, Marcin BrzezinskiAbstract:In birds, adaptations that mitigate predators' impact are usually ineffective in confrontation with introduced and rapidly expanding invasive non-native predators. As a consequence, bird populations often decline in the period following the time when predator population is established. Changes in bird numbers and nest spatial distributions in breeding populations of the Eurasian Coot Fulica atra and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus were studied in Mazurian Lakeland, northeastern Poland in 2002–2003 and 2016, and were analyzed with reference to the abundance of invasive American Mink Neovison vison, whose density declined since mid 1990s. The study was based on a census of breeding pairs and a search of nests at 31 lakes. The numbers of breeding Coots and Grebes increased 2.6-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. In both study periods Grebes displayed a strong tendency to nest in the vicinity of human settlements and in colonies; however, the percentage of Grebe pairs nesting near settlements and in colonies decreased from 51% to 34% and from 73% to 57%, respectively. Coots also preferred to nest in the vicinity of human settlements. Distributions of their nests have not changed significantly over time: in both periods 55–60% of Coot nests were found in close proximity to human settlements and 13–19% in Grebe colonies. The obtained results suggest that breeding populations of the Coot and Great Crested Grebe can cope with the invasive American Mink, whose predation was considered to be the main reason for waterbird declines in Mazurian Lakeland at the end of 20th century.
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expansion and population dynamics of a non native invasive species the 40 year history of American Mink colonisation of poland
Biological Invasions, 2019Co-Authors: Marcin Brzezinski, Michal żmihorski, Aleksandra Zarzycka, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:The American Mink, an invasive mammal introduced to Europe, severely impacts native biodiversity. The history of its invasion has been poorly investigated in central and eastern Europe, and the current variations in densities of Mink populations are not well studied, thus making a reduction of its impact difficult. Here we analyse the temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of the American Mink population in Poland, which began to establish itself at the beginning of the 1980s and originated from Polish farm escapees and immigrants from Lithuania and Belarus. Mink dispersal started in the north and continued to the south and in 2016 Mink occurrence was recorded across ca. 75% of the country. By about 1997 Mink had colonised half of Poland, and in 2016 the only Mink-free area was in the south and south-east of the country. The rate of expansion showed accelerating and decelerating patterns, and reached its maximum 12 years after the beginning of the expansion. Mink farming in western Poland developed rapidly after 2000 and probably influenced acceleration of Mink range expansion rates in years 2006–2008. Indices of Mink densities showed significant nonlinear change over time since local populations were established and were highest in populations estimated to be 10–15 years old. The prediction of non-native species invasion rates and population dynamics should be incorporated into management actions curbing their negative impact on native fauna.
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water vole arvicola amphibius population under the impact of the American Mink neovison vison are small midfield ponds safe refuges against this invasive predator
Mammalian Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Marcin Brzezinski, Andrzej Zalewski, Patrycja Chibowska, Tomasz Borowik, Ewa KomarAbstract:Abstract The American Mink Neovison vison is an invasive carnivore which may significantly affect populations of the water vole Arvicola amphibius. However, its impact on this rodent species depends on the abundance, dispersion and configuration of the habitats suitable for water voles and their accessibility for the Mink. Using live-trapping, we studied the water vole and American Mink populations inhabiting midfield ponds located in the vicinity of a large lake. In the same area, the Mink diet was described after collecting and analysing scats. During four spring seasons, the water vole density gradually increased and no population peaks or crashes were observed. The maximum recorded density was 9.0 individuals/1 km of pond shoreline. Water voles displayed high year-to-year population turnover: less than 5% of the marked individuals were recaptured in the following year. In April–July, the exchange of individuals in the population during one-month periods was also high and usually exceeded 50%. Water vole remains were found in Mink scats in all seasons, and the highest overall percentage biomass of water vole in Mink diet for a two-months period reached 52.2% in May–June 2012. The results of our study show that at small water bodies adjacent to a large lake, the water vole population may withstand the impact of the invasive American Mink.
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An invasive predator affects habitat use by native prey: American Mink and water vole co‐existence in riparian habitats
Journal of Zoology, 2017Co-Authors: Marcin Brzezinski, P. Ignatiuk, Michał Żmihorski, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:This study examines the occurrence of invasive American Mink Neovison vison and native water voles Arvicola amphibius along the shorelines of eutrophic lakes and at small midfield ponds in the Mazurian Lakeland, north-east (NE) Poland. The main hypothesis tested in this study is that built-up areas and small midfield ponds are avoided by Mink; therefore, they can serve as refuges that protect water voles from Mink predation. Floating rafts were used to monitor Mink and water vole distribution. Mink presence was negatively associated with urbanization at lake shorelines and midfield ponds, and these two characteristics positively correlated with occurrence of water voles in the study area. The probability of occurrence of water voles was significantly lower at sites where Mink occurred. The occupancy rates for Mink at lakes and at midfield ponds were higher in autumn than in spring and conversely the occupancy rates for water voles were higher in spring and lower in autumn. Our study shows that within a postglacial landscape, urban areas and midfield ponds distant from lakes are avoided by the American Mink and thus these areas may function as refuge habitats for water voles and may maintain populations of this rodent at the landscape scale despite the presence of Mink.
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Non-native predator control increases the nesting success of birds: American Mink preying on wader nests
Biological Conservation, 2017Co-Authors: Agnieszka Niemczynowicz, Marcin Brzezinski, Piotr Świętochowski, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:The ongoing decline of breeding wader populations in Europe has been mostly explained by habitat changes and the increasing impact of native predators, but the influence of non-native invasive predators has been neglected. A seven year study of the nesting success of the northern lapwing, common redshank and black-tailed godwit was carried out in Biebrza National Park in north-eastern Poland, alongside the American Mink control programme, which was undertaken with low and high intensities of Mink control. Indices of Mink density, based on the percentage of floating rafts with Mink tracks and the number of Mink trapped per 100 trap-nights, declined with the increasing number of Mink removed in consecutive years. In our model, the Mink control and water level covariates explained most of the variation in daily nest survival rates. A decline in Mink density led to increases in daily survival rates of nests and to the overall nesting success of all three wader species. Lower water levels led to a decrease in the overall daily survival rate (DSR) but this covariate affected DSR differently throughout the breeding season. These results demonstrate that predation by an introduced species, alongside low water levels during the nesting period, can limit the nesting success of multiple wader species, and that American Mink should be considered as a key predator affecting ground-nesting wetland bird populations. Conservation plans for many wader species declining in numbers should include local reductions in Mink populations in order to increase nesting success. Thus, intensive continuous Mink control is recommended for important nesting refuges, utilising adaptive management to ensure control efforts remain sufficiently high.
Vadim E. Sidorovich - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Food niche variation of European and American Mink during the American Mink invasion in north-eastern Belarus
Biological Invasions, 2009Co-Authors: Vadim E. Sidorovich, Alexey G. Polozov, Andrzej ZalewskiAbstract:Understanding processes allowing the co-existence of ecologically similar species is important but difficult to study in community ecology. Introductions of alien species are unplanned experiments allowing investigation of co-adaptation of both native and invasive species over a short period. We analysed food niche differentiation between native European Mink and alien American Mink after invasion of the latter species in Belarus. European Mink feed mainly on crayfish, frogs and fish whereas American Mink prefer small mammals, fish and frogs. The diet of both species varied between seasons and during the period of alien Mink invasion. Concurrent with the progress of American Mink invasion, the European Mink food niche has narrowed to feeding mainly on frogs, with the proportion of aquatic prey (fish and crayfish) in their diet drastically reduced. In contrast, the American Mink food niche became wider during invasion. The breadth was stable but included a varied proportion of different prey categories: namely an increased proportion of aquatic prey and a decreased proportion of water vole and waterfowl. The increase in abundance of American Mink saw a decrease in the proportion of larger prey in their diet. When American Mink preyed more often on frogs, food niche overlap of both predators increased. This result suggests that arrival of an alien competitor reduced food abundance (exploitative competition) and caused a change in native Mink diet.
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demography of three populations of American Mink mustela vison in europe
Mammal Review, 2006Co-Authors: Vadim E. Sidorovich, Laura Bonesi, Lauren A Harrington, Tiit Maran, David W MacdonaldAbstract:Demographic data on an invasive species of management concern, the American Mink, are presented. Data were obtained on three feral Mink populations in Europe distinguished by differences in the time elapsed since population establishment. 2. Demographic data are presented in the form of life tables, age-sex distributions and sex ratios. Mink lived a maximum of 6 years, and mortality of 1-year-olds and adults differed substantially between populations. 3. The data support the hypothesis that Mink populations subject to culling have a higher proportion of young (less than 1 year old) to adults compared with non-culled populations.
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the impact of American Mink mustela vison and european Mink mustela lutreola on water voles arvicola terrestris in belarus
Ecography, 2002Co-Authors: David W Macdonald, Vadim E. Sidorovich, E I Anisomova, N V Sidorovich, Paul J JohnsonAbstract:In the U.K. the impact of introduced American Mink Mustela vison, on water voles Arvicola terrestris, may be exacerbated by habitat loss and fragmentation. Pristine wetlands in Belarus, which American Mink invaded in the early 1990s, provide a three-pronged opportunity to test this hypothesis. First, we examine the evidence that, even in the unmanaged wetlands of our Belarussian study site, American Mink have reduced water vole populations. Second, we ask whether habitat size, type and isolation mitigate the impact of American Mink predation. Thirdly, we explore whether water voles are at greater risk of predation from American than European Mink because of their patterns of habitat use. Following the invasion of American Mink, water voles were most abundant in small, still-water sites, far from river banks, while American Mink were most active in large, running-water sites. Small mammal remains were found in a higher percentage of American than European Mink scats, and of these, more were water vole in American Mink scats. The occurrence of water voles in scats of both Mink species declined after the American Mink invaded and established. Our results provide at least circumstantial evidence that American Mink limit water vole populations even in unmanaged wetland eco-systems, and that they have a greater impact than their European congener at least partly because they make greater use of isolated marshes. Although by no means providing complete protection, the configuration and dispersion of available habitat mitigated the impact of American Mink on water voles. This raises the possibility that habitat restoration, especially through the establishment of isolated enclaves, could help reduce the effect of American Mink in the U.K. These observations are of broader interest in the context of assessing the effect of multiple pressures on vulnerable species.
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feeding habits of the otter and the American Mink in bialowieza primeval forest poland compared to other eurasian populations
Ecography, 2001Co-Authors: Ogumila Je Drzejewska, Vadim E. Sidorovich, Mikhail M Pikulik, Wlodzimierz Je DrzejewskiAbstract:Diets of the otter Lutra lutra and the American Mink Mustela vison were studied by scat analysis on five woodland rivers and streams in eastern Poland. Fish constituted 51% of food biomass consumed by otters in spring-summer and 40% in autumn-winter, with common fish (perch Perca fluviatilis, pike Esox lucius, and roach Rutilus rutilus) being captured most frequently by the otters. Amphibians (mainly Rana temporaria, which also dominated in the living community) made up 34% of otters’ food biomass in spring-summer and 58% in autumn-winter. American Mink relied on three prey groups: fish (40% in spring-summer, and 10% in autumn-winter), frogs (32% and 51%, respectively), and small mammals (21% and 36%). Out of available Micromammalia, Mink strongly selected the root vole Microtus oeconomus. The cold season diet of both otter and Mink depended on river size. On small rivers with forested valleys, otters and Mink fed nearly exclusively on amphibians (72–90% of food biomass). With size of a river increasing and riverside habitat becoming more open (sedge and reed marshes instead of forests), otters shifted to catching predominantly fish (up to 76% in diet) and Mink to preying on small mammals (up to 65% in diet). Review of literature on otter and Mink in Eurasia showed that their diets did not change with latitude (as indicators of climate severity and duration of water freezing) but they depended on habitats. In otter diet, the mean share of fish declined from 94% (SE 1.7) on sea shores, to 71% (SE 2.9) on lakes and fish ponds, to 64% (SE 2.8) on rivers and streams. The roles of amphibians and crustaceans increased in the same gradient (from 0 to 15%, and from 3 to 7%, respectively). On inland waters, the abundance of crayfish was the essential factor differentiating otters’ diet composition. In Eurasia, the staple food types of American Mink on rivers and streams were fish (on average, 27% in diet, SE 3.9), mammals (30%, SE 5.0), and amphibians (17%, SE 4.8), whereas on lakes and ponds Mink fed predominantly on birds (on average, 33% in diet, SE 10.1) and fish (28%, SE 9.5). In the Palaearctic region, over a wide gradient of habitats, otters appeared strongly specialised on prey taken from water, whereas American Mink was a typical generalist capable of utilising several prey groups originating from both water and land.
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Density dynamics and changes in habitat use by the European Mink and other native mustelids in connection with the American Mink expansion in Belarus.
Netherlands Journal of Zoology, 2001Co-Authors: Vadim E. SidorovichAbstract:Changes in spatial structure of the native riparian mustelid guild including the European Mink Mustela lutreola, otter Lutra lutra, polecat M. putorius and stoat M. erminea in connection with the expansion of the American Mink M. vison were analysed on the basis of a radiotracking and snowtracking study in the upper reaches of the Lovat river, NE Belarus. Four main questions were investigated: (1) how does habitat selection differ between the native mustelids in the absence of American Mink? (2) does habitat use change following the arrival of American Mink and, if so, how? (3) does habitat selection differ between the two Mink species? (4) how does European Mink density before American Mink arrival compare with American Mink densities after the disappearance of European Mink? Before American Mink naturalization, European Mink density was highest at small rivers and brooks, otter density was highest at larger rivers, polecats were found to inhabit all types of river banks and shores at a similar density. No changes in otter habitat use were found after the American Mink expansion. Gradually, during four years of the American Mink expansion, European Mink became rare at small rivers. However, at brooks used less frequently by American Mink there was little change in European Mink density. Radiotracking data showed that American Mink drive European Mink away from rivers. European Mink are still found at brooks, however, such small streams arc used more frequently by European Mink males than by females, because there is not enough food to rear a litter. Following the American Mink expansion, the polecat population along the banks and shores was reduced by approximately half. In riparian habitats American Mink seems to be a more competitive species than the polecat and as a result, polecat populations tend to decline there. Furthermore, as with European Mink, polecat females are at an even greater competitive disadvantage due to their smaller body size. The most important difference in habitat selection of the native Mink and naturalized Mink is that the European Mink inhabited banks and shores and usually stayed close to aquatic ecosystems, whereas the American Mink fairly frequently inhabited marshes, pools and even dry forest.