Polymorphism of the American mink (Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777)) populations inhabiting the Caspian-Baltic watershed inferred by means of mtDNA D-loop

Abstract

Analysis of the fragment of mtDNA D-loop (369 bp, n = 48) in wild and domestic American minks harvested in Caspian-Baltic watershed in the European part of Russia reveals a relatively high level of genetic polymorphism for introduced specimens. The values of haplotype and nucleotide polymorphism are correspondent to the level found in populations of the species inhabiting Eastern Europe (Poland). The tendency of differentiation of haplogroups is noted against the background of weak geographical or breeding structure of populations. Observed patterns of polymorphism are probably connected with peculiarities of introduction history as well as with the pool of initial DNA set of ancestors introduced in Eurasia. The domesticated form of the American mink does not differ from wild populations of the species on the basis of the used DNA marker. In wild populations of the species located at a short distance from a mink farm, haplotypes typical of domesticated minks are found.