Patterns of genetic variation in the endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola L., 1761).

Background: The European mink (Mustela lutreola, L. 1761) is a critically endangered mustelid, which inhabits several main river drainages in Europe. Here, we assess the genetic variation of existing populations of this species, including new sampling sites and additional molecular markers (newly developed microsatellite loci specific to European mink) as compared to previous studies.

On the phylogenetic position of a rare Iberian endemic mammal, the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus).

The nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial genome and nine partial nuclear genes of the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) were determined in order to establish the relative phylogenetic position of this species at different taxonomic levels within the placental tree. Phylogenetic relationships of desman within the family Talpidae were inferred based on complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene nucleotide sequence data. The Pyrenean desman was unambiguously recovered as sister group of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata) confirming the monophyly of the subfamily Desmaninae.