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Click here to go back Details of this species in Patagonia (Argentina) Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Reported Source: MacDonald and Harrington, 2003 Arrival Date: Introduction: Unknown Species Notes for this Location: Mustela vison (American mink) is spreading in Patagonia. In Argentinean Patagonia, it eats fish, crustaceans and water birds, as well as non-aquatic prey. Management Notes for this Location: Location Notes: Impacts: Agricultural: Mustela vison is said to kill poultry and newborn lambs. Competition: Mustela vison may compete with the huillin (see Lontra provocax in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) or the coastal feline otter (please see Lontra felina in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) due to it's apparent dependence on water and aquatic diet in South America (Delibes et al 2003). Disease transmission: Mink are susceptible to Aleutian disease, which could also affect other species of mustelid, such as the poorly known lesser grison (see Galictis cuja in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Manas et al 2001; in Delibes et al 2003). Predation: Mustela vison is said to kill native waterfowl, mammals and fish (Jaksic et al 2002). Reduction in native biodiversity: Mustela vison threaten the conservation of endemic rodents and mustelids in Argentina (Previtali et al 1998; Aued et al in press). The American mink is considered to be responsible for the decline of the South American river otter (please see Lontra provocax in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and the coypu (Myocastor coypus) (Jaksic et al 2002). Last Modified: 13/03/2006 12:34:07 p.m.