Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.4067/S0716-078X2008000400011
Title (Primary) Diet of the American mink Mustela vison and its potential impact on the native fauna of Navarino Island, Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile
Author Schüttler, E.; Cárcamo, J.; Rozzi, R.
Source Titel Revista Chilena de Historia Natural
Year 2008
Department NSF
Volume 81
Page From 585
Page To 598
Language englisch
Keywords conservation; exotic mammals; management; mustelids; waterbirds
Abstract Invasive exotic species of mammalian predators represent it major cause of vertebrate animal extinctions oil islands, particularly those that lack native mammalian carnivores. In 2001, the American mink (Mustela vison) was recorded for the first time on Navarino Island, in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (55 degrees S) in Chile, representing the southernmost population of mink worldwide. In order to assess its potential impact oil native fauna, we studied its diet on Navarino Island, as part of an integrative management program oil invasive species. Over a three-year period (2005-2007) we collected 512 scats in semi-aquatic habitats: marine coasts, riparian and lake shores. Overall, the main prey was mammals (37% biomass), and birds (36%), followed by fish (24%). Over the spring and Summer, mink consumed significantly more birds, whereas mammals constituted the main prey over the autumn and winter when migratory birds had left the area. Among birds, the mink preyed mainly oi! l adult Passeriformes, followed by Anseriformes and Pelecaniformes, caught as chicks. Among mammals, the exotic muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) was the most important prey, and together with the native rodent Abrothrix xanthorhinus it accounted for 78% of the biomass intake. For all integrated management of invasive exotic mammal species oil Navarino Island and in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve it is important to further research interactions established here among the various introduced mammals, and to initiate immediate control of the mink population in its initial stage of invasion.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=1437
Schüttler, E., Cárcamo, J., Rozzi, R. (2008):
Diet of the American mink Mustela vison and its potential impact on the native fauna of Navarino Island, Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile
Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat. 81 , 585 - 598 10.4067/S0716-078X2008000400011