Journal of Ecology and Environment

The Ecological Society of Korea (한국생태학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Habitat use and preferences of the least weasel (Mustela nivalis) in South Korea

  • Areum Kim (Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology) ;
  • Donggul Woo (Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology) ;
  • Je Min Lee (Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology) ;
  • Jinhwi Kim (Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology) ;
  • Anya Lim (Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology)
  • Received : 2023.10.11
  • Accepted : 2023.11.15
  • Published : 2023.12.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: The least weasel (Mustela nivalis) holds the distinction of being the world's smallest carnivorous animal, yet its presence in South Korea has remained poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigates the habitat preferences and distribution of the least weasel in South Korea. Results: Our study compiled presence data from various sources, including citizen reports, national surveys, and expert observations. The results confirmed the nationwide presence of the least weasel in mainland South Korea, with notable concentration regions such as Gangwon province. Among the various habitats, forest edges and forests emerged as the predominant choice, with over half of the documented locations situated within these environments, particularly in broadleaf forests. Additionally, the data reveal a year-round presence of the least weasel, with recorded cases occurring at varying levels throughout the year. Conclusions: Our research advances the understanding of least weasels in South Korea. Despite the relatively modest dataset, our results provide as a valuable resource for future conservation initiatives, emphasizing the significance of forested landscapes. Additionally, it assists in identifying priority areas for protection and management efforts. To secure the future of the least weasel in South Korea and beyond, further research, including long-term monitoring and genetic studies, is imperative.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the many citizens and experts providing the information and allowed us to construct an up-to-date species distribution dataset. We also thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on drafts of this article.

References

  1. Abramov AV, Baryshnikov GF. Geographic variation and intraspecific taxonomy of weasel Mustela nivalis (Carnivora, Mustelidae). Zoosystematica Ross. 1999;8(2):365-402. 
  2. Alldredge JR, Ratti JT. Comparison of some statistical techniques for analysis of resource selection. J Wildl Manage. 1986;50(1):157-65. https://doi.org/10.2307/3801507. 
  3. Alldredge JR, Ratti JT. Further comparison of some statistical techniques for analysis of resource selection. J Wildl Manage. 1992;56(1):1-9. https://doi.org/10.2307/3808785. 
  4. Aunapuu M, Oksanen T. Habitat selection of coexisting competitors: a study of small mustelids in northern Norway. Evol Ecol. 2003;17(4):371-92. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027356618140. 
  5. Brandt MJ, Lambin X. Movement patterns of a specialist predator, the weasel Mustela nivalis exploiting asynchronous cyclic field vole Microtus agrestis populations. Acta Theriol (Warsz). 2007;52(1):13-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03194195. 
  6. Cervinka J, Drahnikova L, Kreisinger J, Salek M. Effect of habitat characteristics on mesocarnivore occurrence in urban environment in the Central Europe. Urban Ecosyst. 2014;17(4):893-909. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-014-0364-1. 
  7. Feige N, Ehrich D, Popov IY, Broekhuizen S. Monitoring least weasels after a winter peak of lemmings in Taimyr: body condition, diet and habitat use. Arctic. 2012;65(3):273-82. https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic4215. 
  8. Fitzgerald BM. Predatory birds and mammals. In: Bliss LC, Heal OW, Moore JJ, editors. Tundra ecosystems: a comparative analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1981. p. 485-508. 
  9. Gillingham BJ. Meal size and feeding rate in the least weasel (Mustela nivalis). J Mammal. 1984;65(3):517-9. https://doi.org/10.2307/1381110. 
  10. Haapakoski M, Sundell J, Ylonen H. Mammalian predator-prey interaction in a fragmented landscape: weasels and voles. Oecologia. 2013;173(4):1227-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-013-2691-y. 
  11. Hellstedt P, Sundell J, Helle P, Henttonen H. Large-scale spatial and temporal patterns in population dynamics of the stoat, Mustela erminea, and the least weasel, M. nivalis, in Finland. Oikos. 2006;115(2):286-98. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2006.0030-1299.14330.x. 
  12. Jedrzejewska B. Reproduction in weasels Mustela nivalis in Poland. Acta Theriol (Warsz). 1987;32(31):493-6. https://doi.org/10.4098/AT.arch.87-37. 
  13. Jedrzejewska B, Jedrzejewski W. Seasonal surplus killing as hunting strategy of the weasel Mustela nivalis - test of a hypothesis. Acta Theriol (Warsz). 1989;34(25):347-59.  https://doi.org/10.4098/AT.arch.89-34
  14. King CM. The weasel Mustela nivalis and its prey in an English woodland. J Anim Ecol. 1980;49(1):127-59. https://doi.org/10.2307/4280. 
  15. Korea Meteorological Administration. 2022 yearbook. Daejeon: Korea Meteorological Administration; 2022. 
  16. Korpimaki E, Norrdahl K. Avian predation on mustelids in Europe 1: occurrence and effects on body size variation and life traits. Oikos. 1989;55(2):205-15. https://doi.org/10.2307/3565424. 
  17. Korpimaki E, Norrdahl K, Rinta-Jaskari T. Responses of stoats and least weasels to fluctuating food abundances: is the low phase of the vole cycle due to mustelid predation? Oecologia. 1991;88(4):552-61. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00317719. 
  18. Lin LK, Motokawa M, Harada M. A new subspecies of the least weasel Mustela nivalis (Mammalia, Carnivora) from Taiwan. Mammal Study. 2010;35(3):191-200. https://doi.org/10.3106/041.035.0305. 
  19. Macdonald DW, Tew TE, Todd IA. The ecology of weasels (Mustela nivalis) on mixed farmland in southern England. Biologia (Bratisl). 2004;59(2):235-41. 
  20. Magrini C, Manzo E, Zapponi L, Angelici FM, Boitani L, Cento M. WeaselMustela nivalis spatial ranging behaviour and habitat selection in agricultural landscape. Acta Theriol (Warsz). 2009;54(2):137-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03193169. 
  21. Miller RG. Simultaneous statistical inference. 2nd ed. New York: Springer; 1981.
  22. Moors PJ. The food of weasels (Mustela nivalis) on farmland in northeast Scotland. J Zool. 1975;177(4):455-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1975.tb02245.x. 
  23. National Geographic Information Institute. The national atlas of Korea II. Suwon: National Geographic Information Institute; 2020. 
  24. Neu CW, Byers CR, Peek JM. A technique for analysis of utilization-availability data. J Wildl Manage. 1974;38(3):541-5. https://doi.org/10.2307/3800887. 
  25. Oksanen T, Oksanen L, Fretwell SD. Surplus killing in the hunting strategy of small predators. Am Nat. 1985;126(3):328-46. https://doi.org/10.1086/284420. 
  26. Olson DM, Dinerstein E, Wikramanayake ED, Burgess ND, Powell GVN, Underwood EC, et al. Terrestrial ecoregions of the world: a new map of life on earth: a new global map of terrestrial ecoregions provides an innovative tool for conserving biodiversity. Bioscience. 2001;51(11):933-8. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2. 
  27. Pfeifer M, Lefebvre V, Peres CA, Banks-Leite C, Wearn OR, Marsh CJ, et al. Creation of forest edges has a global impact on forest vertebrates. Nature. 2017;551(7679):187-91. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature24457. 
  28. Proulx G. The least weasel, Mustela nivalis, an orphan small carnivore species in Canada. Can Wildl Biol Manag. 2012;1(1):46-50. 
  29. Sheffield SR, King CM. Mustela nivalis. Mamm Species. 1994;454:1-10. https://doi.org/10.2307/3504183. 
  30. Wildlife Protection and Management Act, 18908 Ministry of Environment. 2022. 
  31. Wozencraft WC. Order Carnivora. In: Wilson DE, Reeder DM, editors. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. 3rd ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press; 2005. p. 532-628. 
  32. Ylonen H, Haapakoski M, Sievert T, Sundell J. Voles and weasels in the boreal Fennoscandian small mammal community: what happens if the least weasel disappears due to climate change? Integr Zool. 2019;14(4):327-40. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12388.