European polecat vs

Mustela putorius compared with Hemiselmis anomala

Key Differences

• European polecat is Vulnerable while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European polecat
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Chromista (Chromista)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Cryptophyta
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Cryptophyceae (Cryptophyceae)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Pyrenomonadales (Pyrenomonadales)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Chroomonadaceae
Genus	Mustela	Hemiselmis
Species	Mustela putorius	Hemiselmis anomala

Conservation Status

European polecat

VU — Vulnerable

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European polecat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European polecat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (10 countries) and South America (Brazil, Colombia). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

European polecat

European polecat (Mustela putorius) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.

Hemiselmis anomala is a unicellular cryptomonad alga found in marine and estuarine environments, characterised by its asymmetric, kidney-shaped cell and two unequal flagella for swimming. It contains phycobilin pigments allowing photosynthesis and plays a role in marine and coastal primary production. Cryptomonads like this species are significant contributors to phytoplankton communities in diverse aquatic habitats.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden