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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

A molecular phylogeny of the family Mustelidae (Mammalia, Carnivora), based on comparison of mitochondrial cytochrome b nucleotide sequences.

To study the phylogenetic relationships between the species of the family Mustelidae, by using the improved polymerase chain reaction-product direct sequencing technique, nucleotide sequences (375 bases) of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were determined on ten species from five genera of the Mustelidae and three species of other carnivore families, all of which are distributed in or around Japan. The molecular phylogenetic tree indicated a clear separation of five genera: Mustela and Martes from the subfamily Mustelinae, Lutra and Enhydra from the subfamily Lutrinae, and Meles from the subfamily Melinae. This clustering agreed with the previously reported morphological and karyological taxonomy. Furthermore, the relationships between the intrageneric species were discussed in more detail. This is the first report on the molecular phylogeny throughout the Japanese species of the Mustelidae, inferred from the mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

[Formation sources and topographic characteristics of the pelvic plexus in furry animals of Canidae and Mustelidae families].

Using preparation methods, the topography and the formation sources of pelvic plexus (PP) were studied in animals of Canidae (silver-black fox, blue fox) and Mustelidae (sable, American mink) families. Maximal differences in PP topography and PP-forming nerves were found between species (Canidae-Mustelidae), whereas the intraspecies differences were less pronounced. Intraspecies sex-associated differences in PP topography are associated with only quantitative parameters, while those in PP formation sources and in peculiarities of PP-forming nerves' branching pattern are qualitative in nature. There is a distinct correlation between PP structural type (diffuse, compact, mixed) and peculiarities of its ganglionic apparatus: in diffuse type the juxta- and intraogan position of ganglia is prevalent, while in compact type the extraorgan position is more common.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

[Genetics and evolution of the mink Lpm-system. VIII. Characteristic changes in the antigenic structure of Lpm-protein and alpha2- macroglobulin in Mustelidae family].

Interspecific variability of the isotypic structure of two macroglobulins (Lpm and alpha 2M) in Mustelidae family was investigated using monospecific rabbit antisera against Lpm and alpha 2M Mustela vison. It was established that all the species studied may be divided into four groups, according to the degree of their homology with Lpm: 1) M. vison; 2) M. altaica, M. erminea, Kolonocus sibirica, Putorius eversmany, P. putorius, Luteola lutreola; 3) Vormela peregusna; 4) Martes martes, M. foina, M. zibellina. The greatest divergence of Martes gene species from M. vison and other species studied is determined by two different immunogenetic approaches, the first based on the whole isotype of Lpm and the other using allotypic markers of individual Lpm genes. The variability of the isotypic structure of alpha 2M was lower than that revealed in Lpm. V. peregusna is the only species which significantly differs from all above-mentioned species, including M. vison. The differences established for degree of variability between Lpm and alpha 2M in Mustelidae family may be connected with the evolutionary peculiarities of these two genetic system of serum alpha-macroglobulins, which being phylogenetically related, are still structurally divergent.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Structure of the mitochondrial control region of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra; Carnivora, Mustelidae): patterns of genetic heterogeneity and implications for conservation of the species in Italy.

In this study we determined the complete sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). We then compared these new sequences with orthologues of nine carnivores belonging to six families (Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Canidae, Hyaenidae, Ursidae, and Felidae). The comparative analyses identified all the conserved regions previously found in mammals. The Eurasian otter and seven other species have a single location with tandem repeats in the right domain, while the spotted hyena (Hyaenidae) and the tiger (Felidae) have repeated sequences in both the right and left domains. To assess the degree of genetic heterogeneity of the Eurasian otter in Italy we sequenced two fragments of the gene and analyzed length polymorphisms of repeated sequences and heteroplasmy in 32 specimens. The study includes 23 museum specimens collected in northern, central, and southern Italy; most of these specimens are from extinct populations, while the southern Italian samples belong to the sole extant Italian population of the Eurasian otter. The study also includes all the captive-reared animals living in the colony "Centro Lontra, Caramanico Terme" (Pescara, central Italy). The colony is maintained for reintroduction of the species. We found a low level of genetic polymorphism; a single haplotype is dominant, but our data indicate the presence in central and southern Italy of two slightly divergent haplotypes. One haplotype belongs to an extinct population, the other is present in the single extant Italian population. Analyses of length polymorphisms and heteroplasmy indicate that the autochthonous Italian samples are characterized by a distinct array of repeated sequences from captive-reared animals.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

[Parasitism of Mustelidae by Skrjabingylus petrovi: first report in western Europe].

A study of the sinuses parasites was carried out on 206 skulls of small mustelidae: Mustela putorius (52), M. nivalis (17), M. erminea (13), Martes foina (102), and M. martes (11) from Eastern France. Besides Troglotrema acutum two Skrjabingylus species (S. nasicola and and S. petrovi) were observed and S. petrovi described for the first time in France.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Type I STS markers are more informative than cytochrome B in phylogenetic reconstruction of the Mustelidae (Mammalia: Carnivora).

We compared the utility of five nuclear gene segments amplified with type I sequence-tagged site (STS) primers versus the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene in resolving phylogenetic relationships within the Mustelidae, a large and ecomorphologically diverse family of mammalian carnivores. Maximum parsimony and likelihood analyses of separate and combined data sets were used to address questions regarding the levels of homoplasy, incongruence, and information content within and among loci. All loci showed limited resolution in the separate analyses because of either a low amount of informative variation (nuclear genes) or high levels of homoplasy (cyt b). Individually or combined, the nuclear gene sequences had less homoplasy, retained more signal, and were more decisive, even though cyt b contained more potentially informative variation than all the nuclear sequences combined. We obtained a well-resolved and supported phylogeny when the nuclear sequences were combined. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the total combined data (nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences) were able to better accommodate the high levels of homoplasy in the cyt b data than was an equally weighted maximum parsimony analysis. Furthermore, partition Bremer support analyses of the total combined tree showed that the relative support of the nuclear and mitochondrial genes differed according to whether or not the homoplasy in the cyt b gene was downweighted. Although the cyt b gene contributed phylogenetic signal for most major groupings, the nuclear gene sequences were more effective in reconstructing the deeper nodes of the combined tree in the equally weighted parsimony analysis, as judged by the variable-length bootstrap method. The total combined data supported the monophyly of the Lutrinae (otters), whereas the Melinae (badgers) and Mustelinae (weasels, martens) were both paraphyletic. The American badger, Taxidea taxus (Taxidiinae), was the most basal taxon. Because hundreds of type I STS primer sets spanning the complete genomes of the human and mouse have been published and thus represent many independently segregating loci, the potential utility of these markers for molecular systematics of mammals and other groups is enormous.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Protein sequence evidence for monophyly of the carnivore families Procyonidae and Mustelidae.

The amino acid sequence of the eye lens protein alpha-crystallin A of the ring-tailed cat, Bassariscus astutus, has been determined. The sequence of the Bassariscus alpha A chain, which is 173 residues long, was compared with the previously determined set of 41 mammalian alpha A sequences. Among the investigated carnivores (dog, cat, sloth bear, American mink, gray seal, and California sea lion) the Bassariscus alpha A sequence exclusively shares two amino acid replacements with the alpha A chain of the mink, Mustela vison: 7 His----Gln and 61 Ile----Val. The Mustela and Bassariscus alpha A sequences differ at only three positions and have no replacements in common with any of the other investigated carnivore alpha A chains. Furthermore, the replacement 7 His----Gln has only been found in three-toed sloth, whereas 61 Ile----Val occurs scattered in three other taxa: pig, rhinoceros, and prosimians. It thus is most parsimonious to join Bassariscus and Mustela--and consequently their respective families, Procyonidae and Mustelidae--as sister groups in the phylogenetic tree of mammalian alpha A sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

The evolution and maintenance of delayed implantation in the mustelidae (mammalia: carnivora).

Diapause, the temporary cessation of development at an early life-history stage, is widespread among animals and plants. The range of taxa exhibiting various forms of diapause indicates its enormous ecological significance and highlights its value as a model for examining life-history trait evolution. However, despite the impact of diapause on species ecology, there is little understanding of its adaptive value in many groups. Furthermore, the relative roles of phylogeny and ecology in determining the contemporary expression of the trait remain unresolved. Delayed implantation (DI) is a type of diapause found in several orders of mammals. It is particularly prevalent in the Mustelidae, with mustelids making up more than half of all mammals known to exhibit DI. This taxon is thus ideal for examining life-history predictors of DI and investigating the mode of evolution. Both maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony methods of ancestral state reconstruction indicated DI to be plesiomorphic in the mustelids, although multiple state changes are required to explain its contemporary distribution. After controlling for phylogeny, species with and without DI could be discriminated using just three variables: longevity, maximum latitude of the geographical distribution, and a term describing maternal investment. Our analyses supported the hypothesis that DI is more prevalent in seasonal climates. We also showed that longer-lived species are more likely to exhibit DI, suggesting a time cost to the trait. We found no correlate for the highly variable duration of DI, which remains unexplained. Although ecological factors can predict the distribution of DI in modern mustelids, phylogenetic constraint is likely to play an important role.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Carnivora: the amino acid sequence of the adult European mink (Mustela lutreola, Mustelidae) hemoglobins.

The complete amino acid sequences of the hemoglobins from the adult European mink (Mustela lutreola) are presented. The erythrocytes contain two hemoglobin components and three globin chains. The isolation of globin chains achieved by ion-exchange chromatography on a column of CM-cellulose in 8 M urea buffer. The primary structure of globin chains and of the tryptic peptides determined in liquid- and gas-phase sequenators. The alignment of the alpha- and beta-chains with those of reported sequences from other carnivora species belonging to the family Mustelidae may give an insight into the evolution of this molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

[Anatomic and topographical characteristics of the correlations between glossopharyngeal nerve and autonomic nervous system in Canidae and Mustelidae].

Using macro-microanatomical approach, the study of glossopharyngeal nerve was performed on carcasses of fur animals belonging to Canidae and Mustelidae families (mink, sable, sable polar fox, fox). The species peculiarities of interconnections of tympanic nerve with inner carotid nerve and ear branch of vagus nerve were established. The characteristics of the course and connection of the carotid sinus branch of glossopharyngeal nerve with sympathetic branches of cranial cervical ganglion, were defined. The variants of total absence of vagal pharyngeal branch with significant development of similar branch of glossopharyngeal nerve, were noted.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Protides of the Mustelidae: immunoresponse of mustelids to Aleutian mink disease virus.

Members of North American Mustelidae were tested for their response to inoculation with 10(6) infective doses of Aleutian disease virus. In subfamily Mustelinae, 3 species in the genus Mustela (M vision, M erminea, and M putorius) and 2 species in genus Martes (Ma pennanti and Ma americana) responded immunologically with some features resembling Aleutian disease in mink. In subfamily Mephitinae, only Mephitis mephitis responded, and others of the subfamily did not, nor did members of subfamilies Melinae and Lutrinae. The responses observed ranged from development of detectable antibody levels determined by counterimmunoelectrophoresis to histopathologic changes typical of Aleutian disease.

Aleutian Mink Disease↗

PubMed1978

[Cytogenetics of albinism in polecats of the genus Putorius (Carnivora, Mustelidae)].

Karyotypes of two ferret species, Putorius eversmanni (2n = 38) and P. putorius (2n = 40), differ in a single Robertsonian rearrangement, resulting in decreased chromosome number in P. eversmanni. Interspecific hybrids from crosses between P. eversmanni and domesticated albino ferret P. putorius furo are fertile. Hybrid individuals have a chromosome set 2 = 39. Analysis of offspring from crosses of these hybrids showed that albinism is a recessive character. Offspring obtained from crosses between interspecific hybrid ferrets and between these hybrids and parental species was subjected to chromosome analysis. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the chromosome number and albinism. As a rule, albino hybrids have a chromosome number 2n = 40. This suggests that the locus, controlling albinism, is located at one of the two pairs of acrocentric chromsomes involved in Robertsonian rearrangement. The rare occurrence of albino hybrids with 2n = 39 may be attributed to recombination. According to our data, recombination probability is less than 0.5 which indicates that the albinism locus located near the centromere. Possible extrapolation of the data obtained for ferrets to other Mustelidae is discussed.

Albinism↗

PubMed1957