The American mink Neovison vison (Schreber 1777) in Spain: possible causes of its spread and interaction with other semi-aquatic mammals

Abstract

Balmori, A., Santos, I., Carbonell, R. 2015. The American mink Neovison vison (Schreber 1777) in Spain: possible causes of its spread and interaction with other semi-aquatic mammals. Ecosistemas 24(1):4-11. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2015.24-1.02

The establishment of feral American mink populations in Spain dates back to the 1960s. After accidental and deliberate releases from fur farms, this species expanded rapidly in the Duero Basin. The reasons for its rapid expansion and the specific changes in the community of vertebrates associated with rivers are little known.Here we analyze the possible causes of the success of the colonization of Spain by the American mink and the expected impact on species of other semi-aquatic mammals with which it shares the territory, concentrating on threatened species in particular. We briefly describe the work to halt its spread and to favour occupation by the European mink in new areas of the Duero Basin. The evolution of the distribution area of European mink allows us some optimism.