To mix, or not to mix?: Mitogenomic insights for risk assessment of an interpopulation translocations of the critically endangered European mink

• DOI: 10.1111/csp2.13291
• Publication Date: 2024-12-26T06:14:09Z
• Authors: Jakub Skorupski; Christian Seebass; Wolfgang Festl; Natalia Kiseleva; Przemysław Śmietana; Mihai Marinov
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Ecology; conservation translocations; General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution; endangered species; genetic diversity; QH1-199.5; haplotype diversity; conservation genomics; QH540-549.5; European mink

Abstract This study provides a comprehensive, population‐scale analysis of the mitogenome critically endangered European mink, Mustela lutreola , involving 52 individuals from Russia, Germany (conservation breeding stock), Romania, and France‐Spain. Significant mitogenomic diversity was identified within previously presumed genetically homogenous French‐Spanish population, challenging concerns inbreeding. Despite having lower nucleotide ( π = 0.00024) than German 0.00055) Russian 0.00048) populations, group exhibited impressive haplotype h 0.9810) compared to 0.8727) 0.7826) populations. Considering genetic uniqueness, population ranked highest in conservation importance, second only combined assessment all other The extensive structuring two distinct haplogroups—the Central‐Eastern Aquitaine‐Navarre—suggesting reconsideration their status. These findings guide tailored strategies, emphasizing need for careful interpopulation translocations protect prevent outbreeding depression. A decision algorithm these has been proposed.