Diseases and pathogens of Mustela spp., with special reference to the biological control of introduced stoat Mustela erminea populations in New Zealand

Controlling populations of introduced stoats is a high priority for the conservation of avian biodiversity in New Zealand Existing technology for stoat control is labour intensive and expensive, therefore new techniques and approaches, such as biological control, are needed We reviewed the literature on the diseases and pathogens of stoats, and closely related mustelids, with a view to identifying potential biological control agents Aleutian disease virus, mink enteritis virus, and canine distemper virus hold promise as agents of lethal control, though the risks to non-target species posed by these viruses are serious Host-specific ectoparasites such as Trichodectes ermineae, nematodes such as Skrjabingylus nasicola, and bacteria such as Helicobacter mustelae and Bartemella spp could have a role as vectors for the transmission of fertility control agents We urge some caution in developing biological control technology without a parallel investigation of the potential effects of biological control on stoat populations and the resulting survival of threatened birds.