Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766 p.69
Ellerman & Morrison-Scott, 1951 p.256
Won, 1968 p.282
Han, 1994 p.46
Oh, 2004a p.169
M. nivalis mosanensis Mori, 1927 p.28
Kuroda, 1938 p.29
Ellerman & Morrison-Scott, 1951 p.258
Won, 1958 p.438
Won, 1967 p.113
Won, 1968 p.283
M. pygmaea mosanensis : Kishida & Mori, 1931 p.380
M . nivalis nivalis : Corbet, 1978 p.169
Yoon, 1992 p.102
Mammals of Korea: a review of their taxonomy, distribution and conservation status
Jo, Yeong-Seok
Baccus, John T.
Koprowski, John L.
Zootaxa
2018
2018-11-19
4522
1
1
216
44QY4
36239
Linnaeus, 1766
Linnaeus
1766
[151,530,1038,1064]
Mammalia
Mustelidae
Mustela
Animalia
Carnivora
74
75
Chordata
species
nivalis
Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766 p.69; Typelocality- Sweden; Ellerman & Morrison-Scott, 1951 p.256; Won, 1968 p.282; Han, 1994 p.46; Won & Smith, 1999; p.19; Oh, 2004a p.169. M. nivalis mosanensis Mori, 1927 p.28; Typelocality- Yeonam (near Musan), Korea; Kuroda, 1938 p.29; Ellerman & Morrison-Scott, 1951 p.258; Won, 1958 p.438; Won, 1967 p.113; Won, 1968 p.283. M. pygmaea mosanensis: Kishida & Mori, 1931 p.380. M. nivalis nivalis: Corbet, 1978 p.169; Yoon, 1992 p.102.
Range:Previously, mammalogists thought the least weasel in Koreahad a distribution limited to the northeastern Korean Peninsula ( Won 1968). However, although very rare, the least weasel is now found throughout most of the Korean Peninsula (NIBR 2012; Fig. 47).
Remarks:The least weasel is recognized in Koreaas the Subspecies M. n. mosanensis( Won 1968). Corbet (1978)relegated most populations in Eurasia, including M. n. mosanensis, to a synonym of M. n. nivalis Linnaeus, 1766. Abramov and Baryshnikov (2000)identified 19 subspecies and confirmed one subspecies, M. n. mosanensis,in the Korean Peninsula, despite difference in coloration between northern and southern Korea. Specimens from northern Koreashowed nivalis-coloration in which the winter coat turns completely white; however, southern population showed vulgaris-coloration with incomplete white coloration in winter coats ( Choi & Choi 2007). Conservation status:The North Korean government designated habitat of M. nivalisin the Mayang District, Musan County, Hamgyeongbuk Province as a Natural Monument in 1980. M. nivalisin South Koreaare regarded as ‘Vulnerable’ (NIBR 2012) and in North Koreaas ‘Rare’ (MAB National Committee of DPR Korea2002).