Files
Document type
ArticleVersion
Accepted versionPublication date
All rights reserved
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/225097
Morphological variation of introduced species: the case of American mink (Neovison vison) in Spain
Journal Title
Director/Tutor
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Related resource
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).
Subject
Subject (English)
Citation
Citation
MELERO CAVERO, Yolanda, et al. Morphological variation of introduced species: the case of American mink (Neovison vison) in Spain. Mammalian Biology. 2012. Vol. 77, num. 5, pags. 345-350. ISSN 1616-5047. [consulted: 10 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/225097