Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1223020
Element CodeAMAJF02080
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderCarnivora
FamilyMustelidae
GenusMustela
Concept ReferenceColella, J.P., L.M. Frederick, S.L. Talbot and J.A. Cook. 2021. Extrinsically reinforced hybrid speciation within Holarctic ermine (Mustela spp.) produces an insular endemic. Diversity and Distributions 27: 747-762.
Taxonomic CommentsMorphological and genetic analyses by Colella et al. (2021) support the recognition of at least three species within the Mustela erminea complex (M. erminea, M. richardsonii, and M. haidarum), coincident with three of four genetic clades, tied to diversification in separate glacial refugia. They found substantial geographic variation within each species, with generic morphometric results largely consistent with historical infraspecific taxonomy.
Conservation Status
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Range Extent CommentsThis species occurs throughout much of Eurasia and in North America is found throughout Alaska and western Yukon to most of Arctic Canada east to Greenland. The widespread North American species now refers to Mustela richardsonii.