INVESTIGATING THE ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN MINK (NEOVISON VISON) IN POLAND, INCLUDING A STUDY ON MINK MITOCHONDRIAL DNA FROM FARM, FERAL AND WILD NORTH AMERICAN POPULATIONS.

The American mink (Neovison vison), native to North America, is a controversial invasive species in many European countries, including Poland. Mitochondrial DNA data (concatenated MT-CYTB and MT-COI sequences) were used to investigate the genetic diversity of native, introduced, and farm populations of this species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two major clades including individuals from the farm, feral, and wild populations. This supports the origin of Polish minks from the two native lineages existing in North America. The genetic structure in the invasive range may result from the diverse origins of the released founder individuals and the rapid expansion and contact zones of the introduced populations. Spatial mixing of both North American lineages in Polish feral populations may lead to higher levels of genetic diversity in introduced populations, despite some evidence of a founder effect as one of the main factors influencing their diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]