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Correspondence to Author: Ana B. LloDrca, Francisco S. TorDtosa and José GueErrero-Casado. 

Public Health and Microbiology, Bharuch, India.

Abstract:

The abundance, distribution, and population trends of poorly studied species that are typically not adequately observed can be better understood thanks to records from online biodiversity databases, including citizen science data. The purpose of this study is to show how useful GBIF data may be in identifying the probable decrease of species that were once numerous and extensively distributed but whose conservation status is currently unknown, like the Spanish weasel (Mustela nivalis). In order to answer this, we examined GBIF.org’s statistics on its presence in Spain from 2008 to 2022 and contrasted it with the 2007 Atlas of Mammals of Spain’s distribution data. The findings show that: (i) GBIF.org data show a moderate reduction (negative trend) in the weasel population in Spain during the study period; (ii) the species has been observed in a small number of 10 × 10 km UTM-squares (Universal Transverse Mercator) within its range as defined by the 2007 atlas; and (iii) there are sizable regions of Spain where the species has not been found recently. These results show the carnivorous species’ worrisome conservation state and emphasize the need of data from open access platforms like GBIF in detecting possible silent extinctions

Keywords:Carnivora; citizen science; Mustelidae; extinction; population decline; wildlife conservation.

Citation:

Dr.Ana B. LloDrca, Lack Of Data Or Lack Of Weasels? The Likely Silent Extinction Of Weasel Mustela Nivalis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) In Spain. Journal of Nature Conservation Science 2025.