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Food Studies of Feral Mink Mustela Vison in Scotland
Author(s) -
Cuthbert J. H.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.1979.tb00250.x
Subject(s) - mink , biology , otter , mustelidae , predation , american mink , fishery , wildlife , fish <actinopterygii> , zoology , predator , ecology
Feral mink are widely distributed in Scotland where their possible impact on fish and wildlife has caused concern. Studies of the food of mink were carried out by analysis of scats from the rivers Tweed, Urr and Sheeoch and from an area of sea‐shore. The results revealed that salmonid fish and eels were the most important items of food but it is not possible to draw conclusions as to the effect of mink on fish and other wildlife. Comparison of the food of mink and otter showed broadly similar prey selection. Suggestions for further studies are made.