Timing of reproduction in wild mink: the influence of spawning Pacific salmon

Abstract

In many species of seasonally breeding mammals, reproduction occurs later at higher latitudes. Records of timing of reproduction in free-ranging American mink (Mustela vison) in North America and Europe suggest a similar trend. Observations on mink in southeast Alaska, however, revealed a deviation from this pattern, suggesting that factors other than latitude and associated day length may affect timing of breeding for this species in this area. I investigated timing of reproduction and body condition of wild, free-ranging mink on Chichagof Island, southeast Alaska, and hypothesized that seasonal food availability, especially abundant carcasses of spawning Pacific salmon (Onchorhynchus sp.), would determine timing of breeding in this population of mink. Blood progesterone levels, body condition, and testicle lengths were recorded for 24 adult mink, livetrapped from mid-March to late July in 1992 and 1993. Results suggest that these free-ranging mink mate during the later part of April to early May, and parturition occurs in late June to early July. Although male mink seemed to respond to photoperiodism in initiating reproduction, timing of reproduction in female mink was shifted so that lactation coincided with the availability of carcasses of Pacific salmon.