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A preliminary genetic study of the social biology of feral pigs in south-western Australia and the implications for management
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A preliminary genetic study of the social biology of feral pigs in south-western Australia and the implications for management

J. Hampton, J.R. Pluske and P.B.S. Spencer
Wildlife Research, Vol.31(4), pp.375-381
2004
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Abstract

A combination of demographic and genetic data was collected from 354 feral pigs (Sus scrofa), caught using standard trapping methods in south-western Australia, to provide preliminary information on their social biology. This included attempts to identify the putative parentage of 172 juvenile and foetal pigs, characterisation of the genetic mating system observed, and examination of the demographics of those individuals captured by current trapping methods. Findings revealed that in south-western Australia (a) feral pigs displayed moderately polygynous, but not polyandrous, mating behaviour, (b) breeding boars were significantly heavier than non-breeding boars, (c) the most reproductively successful boars, large individuals weighing >90 kg, moved the furthest in order to secure paternity, and (d) that a large proportion of breeding adults, particularly boars, were not captured under the standard trapping method employed. Ultimately, these data may be useful for the improvement of existing control programs, and exotic disease preparedness strategies.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#14 Life Below Water
#15 Life on Land

Source: InCites

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
3.35.274 Wildlife Ecology
Web Of Science research areas
Ecology
Zoology
ESI research areas
Plant & Animal Science
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