Induction of autumn moult in mink (Mustela vison Peale and Beauvois) with melatonin.

Mustela or Vison? Evidence for the taxonomic status of the American mink and a distinct biogeographic radiation of American weasels.

The American mink's relationship to the weasels in Mustela has been uncertain. Karyological, morphological, and phylogenetic comparisons to Eurasian Mustela support placing the mink outside the genus as Neovison vison. However, genetic comparisons that incorporate other endemic American Mustela suggest the interpretation of N. vison's position to Mustela has been handicapped by biased geographi...

Historical winter diets of mink (Mustela vison) in Nebraska

Population ecology of free-ranging American mink Mustela vison in Denmark

This PhD thesis presents the results of various studies of free-ranging American mink Mustela vison in Denmark. Stable carbon isotope analyses of teeth and claws from 213 free-ranging mink from two areas in Denmark showed that nearly 80% were escaped farm mink. A genetic analysis of a sub-sample of the same animals by means of microsatellites corroborated this result. The isotope analyses permi...

Exogenous melatonin elevates the plasma leptin and thyroxine concentrations of the mink (Mustela vison).

Eight male and eight female minks were given exogenous melatonin as subcutaneous implants. The plasma leptin and thyroxine concentrations were measured. The leptin concentrations showed clear seasonal variations and differences between the experimental groups. In September most of the control females had undetectable plasma leptin concentrations, but the melatonin-treated females had detectable...

The Welfare of Farmed Mink (mustela Vison) in Relation to Housing and Management: a Review

Early research on farmed mink was predominantly concerned with increased productivity; however, in recent years there have been an increasing number of studies related to welfare. The biology offeral mink has also become better understood, and such knowledge can aid in the assessment of welfare on farms, or in the interpretation of problems related to captivity. This paper is a comprehensive re...