Estimation of the age and reproductive performance of wild-born and escaped mink (Neovison vison) caught in the wild in Denmark
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Estimation of the age and reproductive performance of wild-born and escaped mink (Neovison vison) caught in the wild in Denmark. / Pagh, Sussie; Pertoldi, Cino; Chriel, Mariann; Petersen, Heidi Huus; Jensen, Trine Hammer; Madsen, Sussi; Kraft, David Chr Evar; Schou, Toke Munk; Hansen, Mette Sif.
In: Animals, Vol. 11, No. 1, 162, 2021.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Estimation of the age and reproductive performance of wild-born and escaped mink (Neovison vison) caught in the wild in Denmark
AU - Pagh, Sussie
AU - Pertoldi, Cino
AU - Chriel, Mariann
AU - Petersen, Heidi Huus
AU - Jensen, Trine Hammer
AU - Madsen, Sussi
AU - Kraft, David Chr Evar
AU - Schou, Toke Munk
AU - Hansen, Mette Sif
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - The feral mink population in Denmark consists of two groups of animals: mink born in the wild and mink that have recently escaped from farms. The aims of this study were to: (1) estimate the reproductive performance and mortality of the Danish mink born in the wild (wild-born) and mink escaped from farms (captive-born); (2) discuss the likelihood of a self-sustaining population of wild-born mink in Denmark; and (3) model the relationship between the pulp cavity width and the age of mink. During 2018, 247 wild caught mink were sent for necropsy at the Danish National Veterinary Institute. Based on body length, 112 were determined as captive-born and 96 as wild-born. The mean litter size ± SE of wild-born females was 7.6 ± 0.9 (range: 5–11 kits) and for captive-born females 5.9 ± 0.9 (range: 1–10 kits). The relationship between age (in months) of mink and pulp cavity width was highly significant. Individuals with a pulp cavity width of >35% were younger than one year. Based on fecundity, the turnover of the mink population was estimated to be 66%, and the yearly mortality was estimated at 69%. Hence, the population is slightly declining. In conclusion, a feral reproducing mink population in Denmark persists without a continuous influx of captive-born mink from farms.
AB - The feral mink population in Denmark consists of two groups of animals: mink born in the wild and mink that have recently escaped from farms. The aims of this study were to: (1) estimate the reproductive performance and mortality of the Danish mink born in the wild (wild-born) and mink escaped from farms (captive-born); (2) discuss the likelihood of a self-sustaining population of wild-born mink in Denmark; and (3) model the relationship between the pulp cavity width and the age of mink. During 2018, 247 wild caught mink were sent for necropsy at the Danish National Veterinary Institute. Based on body length, 112 were determined as captive-born and 96 as wild-born. The mean litter size ± SE of wild-born females was 7.6 ± 0.9 (range: 5–11 kits) and for captive-born females 5.9 ± 0.9 (range: 1–10 kits). The relationship between age (in months) of mink and pulp cavity width was highly significant. Individuals with a pulp cavity width of >35% were younger than one year. Based on fecundity, the turnover of the mink population was estimated to be 66%, and the yearly mortality was estimated at 69%. Hence, the population is slightly declining. In conclusion, a feral reproducing mink population in Denmark persists without a continuous influx of captive-born mink from farms.
KW - Demography
KW - Fecundity
KW - Litter size
KW - Placental scars
KW - Turnover
U2 - 10.3390/ani11010162
DO - 10.3390/ani11010162
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33445630
AN - SCOPUS:85099414044
VL - 11
JO - Animals
JF - Animals
SN - 2076-2615
IS - 1
M1 - 162
ER -
ID: 280114339