Managing Spanish European mink populations: Moving from a precautionary approach towards knowledge-based management

Understanding the phylogenetic history, genetic variation and ecological requirements of a species is fundamental to the design of effective strategies for its conservation and management. Where such knowledge is lacking, it is particularly important that newly acquired information be incorporated into conservation programs immediately, following a protocol of adaptive management. However, given the inertia of conservation projects, this information is often not incorporated into the decision-making process in a timely fashion. Herein, I present an example in which molecular techniques and distribution trends shed light on the conservation value of one of the three populations of a globally threatened species: the European mink (Mustela lutreola). This note suggests that conservation programs for this population should be reviewed in depth, and reoriented appropriately.