Mink invasion in Chiloé Island, Chile: population genetics and Leptospira spp. detection in Neovison vison.

The American mink (Neovison vison) is an invasive species of mustelid, native to North America, first reported in Chiloé Island, Chile, in 2013. Due to the known threats of this exotic species on native and domestic fauna, as well as on humans (e.g., depredation and reservoir of diseases such as leptospirosis and COVID-19), great efforts have been made to control and eradicate their populations in Chiloé. Nonetheless, the genetic and epidemiological status of its current population is unknown. Here, we assessed genetic diversity, structure, and presence of Leptospira spp. in N. vison populations from Chiloé. To achieve this, we genotyped 61 individuals across 12 locations on the island and compared them to 30 individuals from 6 locations on the mainland using 12 microsatellite markers. High genetic diversity (H_e: 0.68), low genetic structure (F_ST: 0.021), high genetic flow (N_m: 7.43), and five shared genotypic groups were detected between continent and island mink populations. Although these results suggest multiple routes and origins of invasion from the continent to Chiloé, high migration rates detected between island and Pargua localities allow us to infer that a large number of individuals crossed the Chacao Channel. On the other hand, leptospirosis assays on 33 mink kidney samples using qPCR detected this pathogen with a prevalence of 18% in 42% of the localities sampled (6 individuals from 5 localities). We hope that this first population genetic and epidemiological report will be a useful tool for decision-making and the control of minks on Chiloé Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]