Class Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758 - mammals
   Subclass Theria Parker & Haswell, 1897
     Order Carnivora Bowdich, 1821 - carnivores
       Suborder Caniformia Kretzoi, 1943
         Family Mustelidae Batsch, 1788 - weasels, badgers, skunks, and otters
           Subfamily Mustelinae Batsch, 1788 - weasels
             Genus Mustela Linnaeus, 1758 - weasels, ermines, stoats, minks, ferrets, and polecats
               Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 - European polecat
                 Mustela putorius caledoniae (Tetley, 1939)