Widespread population of invasive ferrets Mustela furo (Carnivora: Mustelidae) on the island of Madeira, Macaronesia

Abstract: Invasive mammalian predators are arguably the most damaging group of alien animals for global biodiversity and their impacts are particularly damaging in endemic-rich insular ecosystems. Ferrets (Mustela furo) are well-known for their potential to establish self-sustaining feral populations. Yet, knowledge about their distribution and trophic interactions is scarce. Here, we provide ample evidence of a well-established and widespread population of ferrets on the subtropical island of Madeira (Portugal). Ferrets are using natural and human-dominated habitats, where they are preying on both native (e.g., Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) and the endemic and IUCN Endangered Zino’s petrel (Pterodroma madeira)) and non-native vertebrates.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Widespread population of invasive ferrets Mustela furo (Carnivora: Mustelidae) on the island of Madeira, Macaronesia ; volume:88 ; number:4 ; year:2024 ; pages:311-315 ; extent:05 ; Mammalia ; 88, Heft 4 (2024), 311-315 (gesamt 05)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Soto, Elena J. ; Nóbrega, Eduardo ; Nascimento, Pedro ; Abrahams, Edie ; Powell, Kane ; Bellmunt Ribas, Adrià ; Silva, Isamberto ; Gomes, Martinho ; Rodrigues, José M. L. ; Nunes, João ; Menezes, Dília ; Rocha, Ricardo

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2023-0073
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2407081556197.422721771821
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:45 AM CEST