Mammals of Korea: a review of their taxonomy, distribution and conservation status Author Jo, Yeong-Seok Author Baccus, John T. Author Koprowski, John L. text Zootaxa 2018 2018-11-19 4522 1 1 216 journal article 27944 10.11646/zootaxa.4522.1.1 58e0c7c5-75ec-4b1b-beb0-d01527f710f9 1175-5326 2610198 C24EFA8A-A5A0-4B06-A0A9-632F542B9529 Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766 —Least Weasel Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766 p.69 ; Type locality- 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 ; Type locality- 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 Korea had 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 Korea as 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 Korea showed 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. nivalis in the Mayang District, Musan County, Hamgyeongbuk Province as a Natural Monument in 1980. M. nivalis in South Korea are regarded as ‘Vulnerable’ (NIBR 2012) and in North Korea as ‘Rare’ (MAB National Committee of DPR Korea 2002 ).