Prioritizing Endangered Species in Genome Sequencing: Conservation Genomics in Action with the First Platinum-Standard Reference-Quality Genome of the Critically Endangered European Mink L., 1761.

The European mink (Mustelidae) ranks among the most endangered mammalian species globally, experiencing a rapid and severe decline in population size, density, and distribution. Given the critical need for effective conservation strategies, understanding its genomic characteristics becomes paramount. To address this challenge, the platinum-quality, chromosome-level reference genome assembly for the European mink was successfully generated under the project of the European Mink Centre consortium.

Assessment of Eurasian lynx reintroduction success and mortality risk in north-west Poland.

Despite recent local reintroductions of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in central and north-eastern Poland, the increase in its population was not followed by its westward expansion. To address this problem and restore the lynx population in north-western Poland, 61 captive-born individuals of Baltic population origin were released in the province of Western Pomerania in 2019-2021. Prior to their release, all the animals underwent an adaptation training phase.

Characterisation of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Critically Endangered (Carnivora: Mustelidae) and Its Phylogenetic and Conservation Implications.

In this paper, a complete mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered European mink L., 1761 is reported. The mitogenome was 16,504 bp in length and encoded the typical 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes, and harboured a putative control region.

A Meta-Analytical Investigation of the Gap between Measured and Predicted Inter-Population Genetic Diversity in Species of High Conservation Concern-The Case of the Critically Endangered European Mink L., 1761.

Although properly designed sampling in population genetic studies is of key importance for planning evidence-informed conservation measures, sampling strategies are rarely discussed. This is the case for the European mink , a critically endangered species. In order to address this problem, a meta-analysis aiming to examine the completeness of mtDNA haplotype sampling in recent studies of inter-population genetic diversity was conducted.

Assessment of Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) prevalence in feral American mink in Iceland. Case study of a pending epizootiological concern in Europe.

Background: Recurring escapes or deliberate releases and subsequent infiltration or establishment of feral populations by individuals from fur farms have been commonly noted since the beginning of fur industry expansion. Once animals have invaded ecosystems adjacent to source farms escapees can change the demography of the feral populations through hybridization, outbreeding depression, competition and spreading of various pathogens which can decimate wild populations. In our study, we aimed to assess spread of Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) in the feral population of American mink () in Iceland.

Freezing: how do water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) survive exposure to sub-zero temperatures?

Until now, very little is known about the ability of adult and deutonymph water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) to survive in sub-zero temperatures. Information concerns mainly water mites from vernal astatic waters, and the knowledge has never been experimentally verified. To determine the sensitivity of water mites to freezing, experiments were conducted on (1) the impact of acclimatization, (2) temperature, and (3) duration of freezing on survival, (4) the survival rate of water mites from various types of water bodies, and (5) the survival rate of water mites from different climatic zones.

Fifty Years of Research on European Mink L., 1761 Genetics: Where Are We Now in Studies on One of the Most Endangered Mammals?

The purpose of this review is to present the current state of knowledge about the genetics of European mink L., 1761, which is one of the most endangered mammalian species in the world. This article provides a comprehensive description of the studies undertaken over the last 50 years in terms of cytogenetics, molecular genetics, genomics (including mitogenomics), population genetics of wild populations and captive stocks, phylogenetics, phylogeography, and applied genetics (including identification by genetic methods, molecular ecology, and conservation genetics).