Reliability of stained placental scar counts in farmed American mink and application to free-ranging mustelids

摘要: Abstract Despite the numerous studies carried out on endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola) for conservation purposes, reproductive biology of this species is largely unknown. In wild parameters such as litter size are difficult to observe, particularly cryptic mustelids. We compared reliability nonstained and stained placental scar counts in farmed American (Neovison vison) with known sizes then applied best methodology free-ranging related species—European mink, polecat putorius), feral invasive mink—for a comparative study embryonic western Europe populations. The staining method allowed us improve detection scars increase by reducing observer effect. Nevertheless, analysis must be performed 7 months postpartum, before regeneration uterine tissues. animals mean siz...