To mix, or not to mix?: Mitogenomic insights for risk assessment of an interpopulation translocations of the critically endangered European mink

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive, population-scale analysis of the mitogenome of the critically endangered European mink, Mustela lutreola, involving 52 individuals from Russia, Germany (conservation breeding stock), Romania, and France-Spain. Significant mitogenomic diversity was identified within the previously presumed genetically homogenous French-Spanish population, challenging concerns of inbreeding. Despite having lower nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00024) than the German (π = 0.00055) and Russian (π = 0.00048) populations, the French-Spanish group exhibited impressive haplotype diversity (h = 0.9810) compared to Russian (h = 0.8727) and German (h = 0.7826) populations. Considering genetic diversity and uniqueness, the French-Spanish population ranked highest in conservation importance, second only to the combined assessment of all other populations. The extensive population structuring identified two distinct haplogroups—the Central-Eastern European and the Aquitaine-Navarre—suggesting reconsideration of their conservation status. These findings guide tailored conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for careful interpopulation translocations to protect genetic diversity and prevent outbreeding depression. A decision algorithm for these translocations has been proposed.