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Wild pigs are among the most widespread invasive vertebrate species, having been introduced across the globe as a source of food and for sport hunting. Over the last few decades, the growing ecological and economic impacts of wild pigs have precipitated a shift in the perception and management of this species from a desired game animal to a destructive invasive species, resulting in substantial investments in wild pig management. Most notably, in 2014 the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program was established by the U.S. Congress, representing one of the most extensive management programs for a single invasive species in North America to date. This infusion of interest in wild pig control and resources to carry out these programs has spurred technological innovation, resulting in new and enhanced tools for locating, capturing, and removing wild pigs, as well as a surge in research on this species across its range. These investments have resulted in the elimination or presumed elimination of wild pigs from 12 U.S. States in the last decade. However, several significant hurdles remain that must be addressed to achieve long term success in the management of invasive wild pigs. The lack of unified management goals both within and between many agencies is probably the most important factor limiting widespread control efforts, as there is still no standardized legalized classification of this species in the U.S., and some states continue to actively manage wild pigs as a game species. The lack of concordance in management goals underscores the need for better educational programs targeting the public, legislators, and even wildlife professionals. Further, illegal movement of pigs remains a major contributor to the continued establishment of wild pig populations in new areas. As control efforts shift into states with abundant wild pig populations and an entrenched culture of wild pig hunting, new approaches to management, expanded educational campaigns, more unified management goals, and additional investments in control efforts will be needed. While complete elimination of wild pigs from their invasive range is unlikely, adoption of these strategies should facilitate further contraction of their range, benefiting native wildlife, ecosystems, and humans.

This case report documents the first confirmed outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in a wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Nepal. The case was identified in a wild boar carcass found in Shuklaphanta National Park in February 2023. Post‐mortem findings, including splenomegaly, haemorrhagic lymph nodes and congested organs, were suggestive of ASF, which was confirmed by real‐time PCR. Epidemiological evidence indicates potential transmission from nearby ASF‐infected domestic pigs. This case underscores the critical need for rigorous biosecurity protocols, comprehensive surveillance and targeted wildlife management strategies to prevent further transmission between domestic pig and wild boar populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the diet composition of wolves inhabiting Notecka Forest (ca 1400 km2) in western Poland based on the analysis of scats (n = 261) collected in 2008–2021. The study revealed that wolves in this large forest tract, consisting mainly of pine monocultures, consumed primarily wild ungulates (95.2% of consumed biomass). The roe deer was the essential food item (47.8%), followed by the red deer Cervus elaphus (25.1%) and the wild boar Sus scrofa) (18.4%). Wolves supplemented their diet with medium‐sized wild mammals, mainly the European hare Lepus europaeus (2.8%) and the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber (1.9%). The food niche was narrow (B = 1.1), and there was no difference in food composition between the spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons. We emphasize the significance of the smallest European wild ruminant, roe deer, in the diet of wolves inhabiting Central European Plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed changes in the population size, density, and diet composition of wolves inhabiting the Romincka Forest (RF), an area of 480 km2 situated along the state border between Poland, Russian Federation (Kaliningrad), and Lithuania. We compared the results of our research in 2020–2021 with data from other projects conducted since 1999. We found that both packs living in RF had transboundary territories. The number of packs was stable over 21 years; the average pack size almost doubled (from 4–4.5 to 7.5–8 wolves per pack); the total wolf numbers increased 1.8 times, reaching 15–16 wolves; and the density increased 1.5 times up to 3.1–3.3 wolves/100 km2 in winter 2020/2021. Our analyses of 165 scats revealed that beavers Castor fiber made up 45.6% of food biomass in the wolf diet in 2020, which was 3.4 times more than in 1999–2004 (n = 84 scats,13.4%). Wild ungulates constituted 44.8% of the wolf food biomass in 2020, 1.6 times less than before (71.1%). In our study, among wild ungulates, wolves primarily consumed roe deer Capreolus capreolus (22.6% of food biomass), then wild boars Sus scrofa (13.7%), and red deer Cervus elaphus (5.0%), while moose Alces alces was eaten rarely (0.4%). We also recorded domestic dogs (4.9% of food biomass) and cattle (3.1%). The food niche breadth was wider (B = 2.31) than in the earlier period (B = 1.84), and the Pianka index showed moderate similarity in food composition between both periods (α = 0.816). In November 2022, due to the migration crisis, a 199 km impermeable fence along the state border with Kaliningrad was erected, which blocked access to 48% of the RF area that was regularly used by the resident wolf packs. This may cause wolf numbers to decrease and isolation from the central part of the Baltic wolf population to which they belong, according to our DNA analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African Swine Fever (ASF) is an infectious disease affecting pigs and wild boars, causing significant economic losses. Epidemiological surveillance plays an important role in minimizing its impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of β-actin DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in determining the age of animal remains from the Suidae family, which could be helpful in epidemiological investigations. The study included selected tissues and internal organs of Sus scrofa domesticus, exposed to natural environmental conditions or kept in stable 4 °C conditions, to assess the levels of β-actin and mtDNA over a period of 18 months. The levels of both tested parameters exhibited the expected decreasing trend over time. However, in most tissues, some discrepancies from this general pattern were observed. The results obtained for bone marrow showed a consistent downward trend and a strong correlation between mtDNA and β-actin, with long-term detectability (up to the 13th month of the study). Therefore, bone marrow could be considered a matrix of choice for age assessment. However, due to various influencing factors, further studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human tolerance for wildlife is a key consideration for managers and has been measured with attitudes, normative beliefs, and behaviors. The study objectives were to determine, in the context of Alabama hunters' tolerance for non-native, invasive wild pigs, 1) the convergent validity among three cognitive measures of tolerance, and 2) the strength of association between the cognitive measures of tolerance and behavioral measures of tolerance. Results revealed that general attitudes and wildlife acceptance capacity had high convergent validity suggesting that both quantify similar and highly related psychological aspects of tolerance. Conversely, the standard cognitive measures had low predictive associations with most behavioral measures suggesting a lack of interchangeability of behavioral and cognitive measures for purposes of operationalizing tolerance. We highlight how our findings are affected by the complexity of hunter-wild pig interactions and emphasize the importance of assessing tolerance in different contexts to provide greater conceptual clarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work constitutes an approach to hunting management in Uruguay. We have focused on wild boar hunting, the most widespread form of recreational hunting in this country. We explored the connections and discrepancies between the different actors based on a qualitative study conducted with conservationists, animal rights groups, nature managers, and hunters. The informality of hunting and the lack of population studies on wildlife were the main concerns raised while hunting with dogs was the most controversial issue. These results allowed us to propose some potential management actions to improve hunting management: issuing a hunting license, regulating hunting with dogs, developing collaborative wildlife monitoring, promoting new technologies within the framework of ethical hunting, and developing a realistic and effective poaching control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is insufficient understanding of interspecific interactions with the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) and wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Wild pigs compete with wild turkeys and predate nests and adults; however, population‐level effects on wild turkeys are not clear. Using cameras, we assessed responses of wild turkey populations to wild pig removal in central Alabama, USA, from 2018–2021. We compared wild turkey relative abundance and occupancy on 3 large‐scale pig‐removal treatment sites (3,407–5,531 ha) relative to a control site (2,510 ha) during 1 pre‐treatment year and 2 post‐treatment years, with analyses including a covariate expressing the cumulative number of pigs removed from each site standardized by the initial pig abundance on the site. We removed 1,851 wild pigs from the 3 treatment sites over 22 months. Based on N‐mixture modeling, when the number of pigs removed was equal to our baseline population estimates (i.e., 100% removal relative to initial population), there were 1.50 (95% CL = 1.01–2.23) times as many wild turkeys, and detection of wild turkeys was 2.01 (95% CL = 1.49–2.70) times as likely. Additionally, poults were 3.49 (95% CL = 1.12–10.89) times as likely to occupy an area when the number of pigs removed was equal to our baseline population estimates compared with poult occupancy at baseline pig abundance. Our data suggests that reduction of wild pig populations may lead to a localized increase in populations of wild turkeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental feeding of wild ungulates has long been and remains a common practice across Europe and North America. Yet by drawing animals together, supplemental feeding can have unintended, negative effects on individual species and broader ecological processes. These include increased risk of disease transmission, intraspecific and interspecific competition, and predation, which are of management concern for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the southeastern United States given the arrival of nonnative wild pigs (Sus scrofa) and coyotes (Canis latrans). We conducted a field experiment between March and July of 2021 to assess the effects of supplemental feeding on spatiotemporal activity patterns of deer and wild pigs at wildlife feeders, and space use of coyotes in the Piedmont region of South Carolina, USA. We observed support for our hypothesis that interspecific competition through increased visitation by larger groups of competitor species reduces use of foraging sites by other subordinate ungulates, where feeders highly visited by wild pigs were rarely visited by deer. While adult deer and wild pigs generally did not shift their temporal activity patterns at feeders, juvenile temporal activity shifted to more frequent visits of feeders during the night, supporting our hypothesis that supplemental feed could increase risk to predator exposure, as coyotes tend to be active during crepuscular hours. Our findings suggest that supplemental feed put out to encourage deer activity could actually deter deer if wild pigs occupy that area, and has potential negative demographic effects if juveniles are at increased risk of predation. Collectively, based on our data, we do not recommend supplemental feeding in the southeastern United States where white‐tailed deer, coyotes, and wild pigs co‐occur. More broadly, given how widespread the legal use of supplemental feed remains across the United States, we encourage landowners and policymakers to consider the full suite of potential direct and indirect, short‐term and long‐term negative impacts supplemental feeding can have on both target and nontarget wildlife populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the clinicopathological forms of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar, it is crucial to possess a basic knowledge of the biological characteristics of the currently circulating ASF virus isolates. The aim of this work is to establish an accurate and comprehensive histopathologic grading system to standardize the assessment of the ASF lesions in wild boar. The study evaluated the differences between animals infected with a high virulence genotype II isolate (Arm07) (HVI) through intramuscular (IM) (n = 6) and contact-infected (n = 12) routes, alongside those orally infected with a low virulence isolate (Lv17/WB/Riel) (LVI) (n = 6). The assessment included clinical (CS), macroscopic (MS), and histopathologic (HS) scores, as well as viral loads in blood and tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Tissues examined included skin, lymph nodes, bone marrow, palatine tonsil, lungs, spleen, liver, kidneys, thymus, heart, adrenal glands, pancreas, urinary bladder, brain, and gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts. The HVI group exhibited a 100% mortality rate with elevated CS, MS, and HS values. Animals infected by contact (CS = 12; MS = 58.5; HS = 112) and those intramuscularly infected (CS = 14.8; MS = 47; HS = 104) demonstrated similar values, indicating that the route of infection does not decisively influence the severity of clinical and pathological signs. The LVI group showed a 0% mortality rate, an inconspicuous clinical form, minimal lesions (CS = 0; MS = 12; HS = 29), and a lower viral load. Histopathologic evaluation has proven valuable in advancing our comprehension of ASF pathogenesis in wild boar and paves the groundwork for further research investigating protective mechanisms in vaccinated animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the modern perspective on evaluating animal welfare, it is important to consider both negative and positive experiences. This study investigated the impact of group composition and environmental enrichments on the behaviours of free-ranging pigs, focusing on anxiety-related behaviours, aggression, affiliation, post-conflict affiliation, excavation, and non-invasive exploration activities. Data were collected on three different groups (allfemale: N=10; all-male: N=13; mixed-sex: N=12) of free-ranging pigs raised in a natural woodland habitat at the ethical farm "Parva Domus" (Turin, Italy). To evaluate the impact of environmental enrichment, further data collection was carried out on the mixed-sex group under three different enrichment conditions (absence; dry leaves; straw) provided in a rotational scheme. Group composition did not affect levels of anxiety-related behaviours, aggression, and non-invasive exploration. However, it did impact other social aspects (affiliation: One-way ANOVA: p=0.003; post-conflict affiliation: Kruskal-Wallis: p=0.005). In particular, the mixed-sex and the all-male groups showed higher levels of affiliation than the all-female group and the mixed-sex group showed higher levels of post-conflict affiliation than the all-male group. Moreover, we found differences in excavation behaviour levels (Kruskal-Wallis: p=0.001), with higher levels of excavation behaviour in the mixed-sex group compared to the allfemale group. Regarding the impact of enrichments, we found differences in levels of anxiety-related behaviours (One-way ANOVA: p = 0.046), affiliation (One-way ANOVA: p = 0.006), excavation (One-way ANOVA: p<0.001), and non-invasive exploration activities (One-way ANOVA: p<0.001). In enrichment conditions with straw, we found a significant decrease in anxiety-related, affiliation, and excavation behaviours levels, and a significant increase in noninvasive exploration behaviours. A trend with lower levels of aggression was observed in straw enrichment condition compared to the absence of enrichment, although the difference was not significant. Moreover, there were no differences in post-conflict affiliation frequencies. Our findings suggest that forming mixed-sex groups and providing environmental enrichments such as the straw could be suitable solutions to effectively reduce invasive excavation behaviours without preventing pigs from expressing their natural behavioural repertoire, thus maintaining high standards of animal welfare. This study highlights behavioural aspects to be considered in extensive farming, confirming the importance of ethology as a tool for assessing pig welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) poses a significant threat to domestic pigs and wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations, with the current epidemiological situation more critical than ever. The disease has spread across five continents, causing devastating losses in the swine industry. Although extensive research efforts are ongoing to develop an effective and safe vaccine, this goal remains difficult to achieve. Among the potential vaccine candidates, live attenuated viruses (LAVs) have emerged as the most promising option due to their ability to provide strong protection against experimental challenges. However, ASF virus (ASFV) is highly diverse, with genetic and phenotypic variations across different isolates, which differ in virulence. This study highlights the limitations of a natural LAV strain (Lv17/WB/Rie1), which showed partial efficacy against a highly virulent and partially heterologous isolate (Arm07; genotype II). However, the LAV's effectiveness was incomplete when tested against a more phylogenetically distant virus (Ken06.Bus; genotype IX). These findings raise concerns about the feasibility of developing a universal vaccine for ASFV in the near future, emphasizing the urgent need to assess the protective scope of LAV candidates across different ASFV isolates to better define their limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As wild boar populations and their distribution ranges increase, human–wild boar conflicts have become increasingly prevalent in numerous regions across the globe. These conflicts have a profound impact on human livelihoods, resulting in significant economic losses. Understanding the habitat requirements and relative abundance of wild boars is crucial prior to implementing any conservation measures. However, studies on wild boar habitat and population in the central and eastern regions of the Tianshan Mountains in China are lacking. We assessed the activity patterns and relative abundance of wild boars in these areas and evaluated habitat suitability using a combination of camera trapping, line transects, species distribution modeling (maximum entropy model), and hierarchical abundance modeling (Bayesian N‐mixture model). We used 311 infrared cameras and 280 field‐based line transects to cover approximately 31,000 km² from September 2022 to May 2023 in the east‐central Tianshan Mountains. We used 240 wild boar distribution locations and 13 environmental predictors in the development of species distribution models. We also used species counts and associated environmental predictors in the N‐mixture model to estimate the relative abundance of wild boar. Wild boars were most active during crepuscular hours (1800), and relatively active in the diurnal period compared to the nocturnal period. The probability of wild boar occurrence increased with higher normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the minimum temperature of the coldest month, and annual temperatures below 39°C. Boars were most likely to be found in closed deciduous‐coniferous forests. The relative abundance of wild boars was positively affected by NDVI and negatively affected by the minimum temperature of the coldest month and temperature annual range. Based on our results, we suggest areas of management priority. In particular, extensive and intact habitat with substantial wild boar populations, such as the Banfanggou, the South Mountain of Urumqi, and the Hutubi, should be prioritized for long‐term wild boar population monitoring and management so the adverse impacts of increasing wild boar populations in the study region can be minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEnvironmental pollution results in serious health hazards to animals, reflected in biogenic and risk element concentrations in animal tissues. The objective of this study was to examinate concentration of selected elements in testes, and epididymal spermatozoa motility of wild boars. Wild boars were hunted in region Žuhračka - Levice, Slovak Republic. Testes were removed postmortem, spermatozoa were collected from cauda epididymis and assessed by CASA system. Elements concentrations were measured by ICP and by CV-AAS. Spermatozoa motility was 44.29% and progressive motility 18.47%. Concentration of elements in testes was in following order: K > Na > Mg > Ca > Fe > Zn > Al > Cu > Se > Mn > As > Cr > Pb > Mo > Sr > Ni > Ba > Cd > Li > Hg. The most notable correlations indicate association between Se and total spermatozoa motility, as well as with progressive motility, furthermore between As and velocity curved line and beat cross frequency. A high positive significant correlation was found between mercury and beat cross frequency. The data may serve as a fine control indicator to detect potentially toxic elements accumulated from polluted environment that can affect reproduction of wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind farms are still developing dynamically worldwide, with promising prospects for further growth. Therefore, the assessment of their impact on animals has been carried out. So far, few studies have been conducted on game mammals, and their results are divergent. Previous studies on the impact of wind farms on game species were typically based on regional research covering one or, at most, several wind farms. In this study, we aimed to verify the effect of wind farms on the density of game mammals through a large-scale analysis at the country level, using lowland Poland as an example. The study was based on hunting bag data from open-field hunting districts. It covered seven game species: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), European badger (Meles meles), European polecat (Mustela putorius), and European hare (Lepus europaeus). We used Corine Land Cover to account for differences in land cover and the area covered by wind farms in generalized linear mixed models. The study showed that in agricultural landscapes, mainly herbivorous species of game mammals were related to land cover types. These species tend to exhibit higher densities in agricultural areas containing more natural landscape features. Conversely, mesocarnivores are primarily driven by the abundance of prey with little to no observable effects from land cover types. Only roe deer and wild boar presented lower densities with an increase in the area covered by wind farms (for roe deer: estimate: − 0.05, 95% CI: − 0.1–0.0; for wild boar: estimate: − 0.03, 95% CI: − 0.11–0.05), while no effect was observed for mesocarnivores or European hare. The underlying reasons for these relationships remain unclear and require more specific studies. The uncertainty regarding the cause of the observed effects did not allow for a large-scale assessment of the impact of further wind energy development on the studied game mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Potentially zoonotic pathogens have been previously detected in bat-associated ticks, but their role in disease transmission and their frequency of feeding on non-bat hosts is poorly known. Methodology/Principal findings: We used molecular blood meal analysis to reveal feeding patterns of the bat-associated tick species Ixodes ariadnae, I. simplex, and I. vespertilionis collected from cave and mine walls in Central and Southeastern Europe. Vertebrate DNA, predominantly from bats, was detected in 43.5% of the samples (70 of 161 ticks) but in these ticks we also detected the DNA of non-chiropteran hosts, such as dog, Canis lupus familiaris, wild boar, Sus scrofa, and horse, Equus caballus, suggesting that bat-associated ticks may exhibit a much broader host range than previously thought, including domestic and wild mammals. Furthermore, we detected the zoonotic bacteria Neoehrlichia mikurensis in bat ticks for the first time, and other bacteria, such as Bartonella and Wolbachia. Conclusions/Significance: In the light of these findings, the role of bat ticks as disease vectors should be urgently re-evaluated in more diverse host systems, as they may contribute to pathogen transmission between bats and non-chiropteran hosts. Author summary: Ticks found on bats might carry diseases that can be important for both animal and human health. In this study we collected three species of bat ticks and used molecular methods to demonstrate their feeding habits and to explore the pathogens they carry. We found that most of the ticks had been feeding on bats, but we also found evidence of blood meals from domestic and wild animals, such as dogs, wild boars, and horses. We also found several bacteria in these ticks that can infect or potentially infect humans and animals. These results indicate that bat ticks could be a potential link between bats and non-bat hosts and may help spread diseases between them. Learning about how ticks interact with different host species is critical to understanding the ecology and spread of wildlife disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates interactions between humans, Wild Boars, and crocodiles in mangrove ecosystems of the villages of Benakanda, Bhateni, and South Jambu in Mahakalapada Block in the Kendrapada District of the Indian state of Odisha, using questionnaire surveys. This is an area where mangrove restoration is currently in progress. Using a targeted sampling procedure, 280 respondents representing 14% of the population participated in the study. The results show that negative perceptions differ throughout villages, with a majority of respondents reporting interaction between humans and animals in Bhateni (91%) and South Jambu (98%). The most frequent animal reported to cause harm to crop and livelihoods is Wild Boar (44%). Communities understand the value of mangrove restoration despite facing obstacles brought on by interactions with wildlife. The vast majority of residents (87%) believe that restoration efforts were necessary, and many had taken part in these by themselves, or in conjunction with other communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China was one of the earliest domestication centres for pigs in the Old World. Since their domestication, pigs have been significantly involved in human societies from both economic and ceremonial perspectives, so the investigation of pig domestication is key to understand the development process of ancient communities. However, the pig domestication process has not been fully explored in Shandong, one of the earliest regions for exploiting pig resources, such as canine teeth, in China. We use geometric morphometry to analyse the second lower molars of pigs associated with diverse periods, including the Longshan, Yueshi, and Shang and Zhou, at Dinggong, China. The results show that while there was a relatively consistent pig phenotype in this region from the Longshan to the Shang and Zhou periods, the centroid sizes of pigs experienced a moderate decrease over time. A certain number of wild boars were harvested by humans, but their proportions declined chronologically along with the gradually intensification of pig management. Apart from household refuse, fodders similar to the staple plants for humans were provisioned to those managed pigs, suggesting a close relationship between humans and pigs. In spite of more time and energy required for managing pigs, human societies could have benefited from this investment with a better secured meat supply and more ceremonial materials, which helped strengthen the human–pig bond from the Neolithic period to today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) known for their pivotal role in intercellular communication through RNA delivery, hold paramount implications for understanding muscle phenotypic variations in diverse pig breeds. Methods: In this study, we compared the mRNA expression profiles of longissimus dorsi muscles and muscle-derived extracellular vesicles (M-EVs), and also examined the diversity of enriched genes in M-EVs between weaned wild boars and commercial Large White pigs with respect to their numbers and biological functions. Results: The results of the study showed that the variation in the expression profiles of mRNAs between muscles and M-EVs was much greater than the variability between the respective breeds. Meanwhile, the enrichment trend of low-expressed genes (ranked <1,000) was significantly (p-value = 0.05) powerful in M-EVs compared to highly expressed genes in muscles. In addition, M-EVs carried a smaller proportion of coding sequences and a larger proportion of untranslated region sequences compared to muscles. There were 2,110 genes enriched in M-EVs (MEGs) in Large White pigs and 2,322 MEGs in wild boars, with 1,490 MEGs shared interbreeds including cyclin D2 (CCND2), which inhibits myogenic differentiation. Of the 89 KEGG pathways that were significantly enriched (p-value = 0.05) for these MEGs, 13 unique to Large White pigs were mainly related to immunity, 27 unique to wild boars were functionally diverse but included cell fate regulation such as the Notch signaling pathway and the TGF-beta signaling pathway, and 49 were common to both breeds were also functionally complex but partially related to innate immunity, such as the Complement and coagulation cascades and the Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis. Discussion: These findings suggest that mRNAs in M-EVs have the potential to serve as indicators of muscle phenotype differences between the two pig breeds, highlighting the need for further exploration into the role of EV-RNAs in pig phenotype formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among wild boars in major regions of the world were assessed using genome-wide data from the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP), southern and northern regions of China, Europe, Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia. We clarified the close phylogenetic relationship of QTP wild boars with those in southern China. In addition, genome-wide selection signal analysis based on cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity, fixation index parameters, and run of homozygosity island recognition technology was performed to obtain a series of candidate genes related to the plateau adaptability of wild boar, such as TSC2, TELO2, VCP, SLC5A1, and SLC5A4. In particular, SLC5A1 and SLC5A4 are involved in glucose homeostasis and may be the key to the plateau adaptability of wild boars. This study enhances our understanding of the genetic mechanism of high-altitude adaptation in wild boars. The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) wild boar is an excellent model for investigating high-altitude adaptation. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide data from 93 wild boars compiled from various studies worldwide, including the QTP, southern and northern regions of China, Europe, Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia, to explore their phylogenetic patterns and high-altitude adaptation based on genome-wide selection signal analysis and run of homozygosity (ROH) estimation. The findings demonstrate the alignment between the phylogenetic associations among wild boars and their geographical location. An ADMIXTURE analysis indicated a relatively close genetic relationship between QTP and southern Chinese wild boars. Analyses of the fixation index and cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity between populations revealed 295 candidate genes (CDGs) associated with high-altitude adaptation, such as TSC2, TELO2, SLC5A1, and SLC5A4. These CDGs were significantly overrepresented in pathways such as the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling and Fanconi anemia pathways. In addition, 39 ROH islands and numerous selective CDGs (e.g., SLC5A1, SLC5A4, and VCP), which are implicated in glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function, were discovered in QTP wild boars. This study not only assessed the phylogenetic history of QTP wild boars but also advanced our comprehension of the genetic mechanisms underlying the adaptation of wild boars to high altitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF), caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a deadly, highly contagious disease in both domestic pigs and wild boar. With mortality up to 100%, the disease has been making a serious impact on the swine industry worldwide. Because no effective antiviral treatment has been observed, proactive prevention such as vaccination remains the key to controlling the outbreak. In the pursuit of expediting vaccine development, our current work has made the first report for heterologous production of the viral outer envelope glycoprotein CD2v extracellular domain (CD2v ED), a proposed promising vaccine antigen candidate in the "green" synthetic host Nicotiana benthamiana. Protein oligomerization strategies were implemented to increase the immunogenicity of the target antigen. Herein, the protein was expressed in oligomeric forms based on the C-terminally fused GCN4pII trimerization motif and GCN4pII_TP oligomerization motif. Quantitative western blot analysis showed significantly higher expression of trimeric CD2v ED_GCN4pII with a yield of about 12 mg/100 g of fresh weight, in comparison to oligomeric CD2v ED_GCN4pII_TP, revealing the former is the better choice for further studies. The results of purification and size determination by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) illustrated that CD2v ED_GCN4pII was successfully produced in stable oligomeric forms throughout the extraction, purification, and analysis process. Most importantly, purified CD2v ED_GCN4pII was demonstrated to induce both humoral and cellular immunity responses in mice to extents equivalent to those of the live attenuated vaccine ASFV-G-∆I177L, suggesting it as the potential subunit vaccine candidate for preventing ASFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a nuclear cytoplasmic large DNA virus (NCLDV) that causes devastating hemorrhagic diseases in domestic pigs and wild boars, seriously threatening the development of the global pig industry. IFN-I plays an important role in the body's antiviral response. Similar to other DNA viruses, ASFV has evolved a variety of immune escape strategies to antagonize IFN-I signaling and maintain its proliferation. In this study, we showed that the ASFV early protein pK205R strongly inhibited interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) as well as the promoter activity of IFN-stimulated regulatory elements (ISREs). Mechanistically, pK205R interacted with the intracellular domains of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, thereby inhibiting the interaction of IFNAR1/2 with JAK1 and TYK2 and hindering the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STATs. Subsequently, we generated a recombinant strain of the ASFV-pK205R point mutation, ASFV-pK205R7PM. Notably, we detected higher levels of ISGs in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) than in the parental strain during the early stages of ASFV-pK205R7PM infection. Moreover, ASFV-pK205R7PM attenuated the inhibitory effect on IFN-I signaling. In conclusion, we identified a new ASFV immunosuppressive protein that increases our understanding of ASFV immune escape mechanisms. Author summary: African Swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a deadly swine disease that originated in Africa and has since spread to Europe, Asia, and Oceania, severely impacting the global pig industry. Although ASFV protein functions have been extensively studied, many remain unknown. pK205R is abundantly expressed during the early stages of ASFV infection and participates in viral replication during the late stages of infection. Our research reveals how pK205R inhibits IFN-I signaling by interacting with IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, blocking downstream signaling. These results improve our understanding of the immune escape process of ASFV, which may have implications for future vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometritis and metritis are common reproductive diseases in domestic animals, causing a reduction in reproductive performance and economic losses. A previous study revealed the alterations in the transcriptome of the inflamed porcine endometrium. Data on molecular signatures in the myometrium under inflammatory conditions are limited. The current study analyzed the transcriptomic profile of porcine myometrium after intrauterine Escherichia coli (E. coli) administration. On day 3 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 of the study), 50 ml of either saline (group CON, n = 7) or E. coli suspension (109 colony-forming units/ml, group E. coli, n = 5) were injected into each uterine horn. After eight days, the gilts were euthanized, and the uteri were removed for further analysis. In the myometrium of the CON group versus the E. coli group, microarray analysis revealed 167 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 78 up- and 89 down-regulated). After intrauterine E. coli administration, among the DEGs of the inflammatory response set, the highest expressed were mRNA for CXCL6, S100A8, S100A12, SLC11A1, S100A9 , CCL15, CCR1, CD163, THBS1 and SOCS3, while the most suppressed was mRNA expression for FFAR4, KL, SLC7A2 and MOAB. Furthermore, a comparison of the present results on myometrial transcriptome with the authors' earlier published data on the endometrial transcriptome shows the partial differences in mRNA expression between both layers after intrauterine E. coli injections. This study, for the first time, presents changes in the transcriptome of porcine myometrium after intrauterine E. coli administration, which may be important for myometrial homeostasis and functions and, as a result, for the uterine inflammation course. Data provide a valuable resource for further studies on genes and pathways regulating uterine inflammation and functions. • E.coli-injected intrauterine increases CXCL6, S100A8, S100A12 genes in myometrium. • E.coli-injected intrauterine down-regulates IGSF5, FFAR4, KL genes in myometrium. • The most altered genes in myometrium enrich pathway: role of IL-17A in psoriasis. • LPS is a top upstream regulator for differentially expressed genes in myometrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial discusses the concept of turning "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors through immunogenic cell death (ICD) to enhance cancer therapy effectiveness. It explores various therapies inducing ICD, traditional and innovative, to boost anti-tumor immune responses. The authors also delve into the biological mechanisms of ICD and its clinical applications, suggesting potential improvements in treating immune "cold" tumors. Additionally, the document highlights research on different ablation temperatures inducing distinct types of ICD in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, potentially paving the way for personalized cancer therapies. [Extracted from the article]

Animal tuberculosis (TB) is often maintained by multi-host communities, including livestock and wildlife. Quantitative studies of such communities require estimating the true prevalence of TB, correcting the apparent prevalence by the diagnostic sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the test. The goal of this study was to lay the foundations for estimating the true prevalence of TB in wild ungulate populations (wild boar and two cervids: red deer and fallow deer). We used Bayesian latent class models to assess the Se and Sp of gross pathology, IS6110 real-time PCR in tissues, bacteriological culture, and P22 indirect ELISA. We analyzed 308 harvested wild ungulates (211 wild boar and 97 cervids: 92 red deer and 5 fallow deer). The Se of bacteriological culture (80.4%, CI95 61.0-96.3%) and gross pathology (87.9%, CI95 69.5-99.9%) was reasonably good in wild boar. These tests showed lower Se in cervids: 60.2% (CI95 38.3-82.3%) for bacteriological culture and 81.5% (CI95 63.6-96.2%) for gross pathology. The Se of the real-time PCR was low (50.7% in wild boar and 53.0% in cervids). These tests showed Sp between 95.2 and 99.1% in both taxa. The P22 ELISA performed reasonably well in wild boar (Se = 71.9%, CI95 59.2-83.4%; Sp = 98.8%, CI95 96.9-99.9%) but lacked Sp in cervids (Se = 77.1%, CI95 62.9-89.7%; Sp = 74.5%, CI95 65.7-83.3%). The real-time PCR in wild boar and cervids and bacteriological culture in cervids tended to show higher Se in low-prevalence populations, possibly due to a higher proportion of early-stage TB lesions. In cervids, the parallel interpretation of gross pathology and bacteriological culture significantly improved the diagnostic performance (Se = 93.1%, CI95 84.7-98.9%; Sp = 92.9%, CI95 86.0-98.3%). Our results allow the estimation of true prevalence from the results of a single diagnostic test applied to harvested wild boar, red deer, and fallow deer, paving the way for more precise quantitative ecological studies of the multi-host TB maintenance community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick‐borne zoonoses are an emerging health issue. The expansion of ticks is mainly driven by climatic changes but also by new approaches to the management of the natural environment, increasing the abundance of vertebrate host species and thus the potential exposure to tick bites for both humans and companion animals. In this context, a holistic approach to studying ticks' ecology is required. In the present work, we shed light on the link between environmental tick abundance (global and specific of Ixodes ricinus nymphs, as the highest zoonotic threat) and the temporal occupancy of wildlife host species retrieved from camera traps (namely, wild ruminants, mesocarnivores and wild boar). We modelled this relationship by integrating abiotic factors relevant to tick survival, such as the vegetation cover and saturation deficit, and estimated the accuracy of prediction. To collect these data, we deployed camera traps in a peri‐urban Natural Park in Northwest Italy to monitor wildlife for 1 whole year while collecting ticks in front of camera traps by dragging transects every 2 weeks. Overall, wildlife temporal occupancy showed an additive impact on tick abundance for species that are preferential hosts (deer and mesocarnivores) and a detractive impact for wild boar, which also presented a lower tick burden, particularly with regard to the tick species collected in the environment (mainly I. ricinus and Haemaphysalis punctata). Accuracy of prediction was higher for I. ricinus nymphs rather than the global model. Temporal fluctuations in the tick population were also highlighted. Wildlife temporal occupancy was not constant and varied between seasons according to feeding habits. In conclusion, we highlighted the utility of camera trap data to investigate tick ecology and acarological risk. This information is crucial in informing monitoring and prevention strategies to decrease the risk of tick bites in humans and thus zoonotic risk of tick‐borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing increase in wild boar populations across Europe has fostered human–wildlife conflicts, including the transmission of emerging pathogens with zoonotic importance. Blastocystis is a ubiquitous, faecal-oral transmitted protist that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and is observed in humans and animals worldwide. The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of Blastocystis is insufficiently understood. Thus, we investigated the occurrence and subtype diversity of Blastocystis in free-ranging wild boars from the Iberian Peninsula using conventional PCR and next-generation amplicon sequencing of a fragment of the ssu RNA gene. A total of 459 wild boar faecal samples were collected across Spain (n = 360) and Portugal (n = 99) between 2014 and 2021. Blastocystis was present in 15.3% (70/459; 95% CI 12.1–18.9) of the wild boars analysed, and its occurrence was significantly higher in Portugal (34.3%, 34/99; 95% CI 25.1–44.6) than in Spain (10.0%, 36/360; 95% CI 7.1–13.6). Seven Blastocystis subtypes (ST5, ST10b, ST13–ST15, ST24b, and ST43) were detected among the surveyed wild boar populations, with greater variability detected in Portuguese samples. ST5 was identified in all the Blastocystis-positive animals, whereas 14.3% of them harboured ST mixed colonisations. Our results demonstrate that Blastocystis ST5 is particularly adapted to infect wild boars. The additional identification of zoonotic STs reinforces the role of wild boars as spreaders of zoonotic infections with public health significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Observatory of Wildlife EOW, as part of the ENETWILD project, represents a collaborative network that has been operating since 2021 to develop and implement standardized protocols to obtain harmonized data on distribution and density of target mammal species. In so doing, the EOW aims at contributing to improving the quality of data that are available for wildlife management and risk assessment on a European scale. This report describes the activities carried out during the 2023 EOW campaign, which was joined by a total of 30 organizations who committed to collect data in 44 sites across 22 different countries. We present data on the distribution and density of three species – wild boar (Sus scrofa), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) – obtained by implementing a camera trapping protocol and by fitting the random encounter model (REM) for density estimation. Camera‐trap images were processed using the Agouti platform and some of its tools specifically designed for the management of camera trapping projects. This includes the use of photogrammetry to obtain parameters for the REM directly from the sequences of images. A total of 24 EOW sites were monitored in past years as well, providing multiannual density estimates and population trends and highlighting an improvement in the precision of the estimates, related to the improved study design and protocol implementation. We also describe the activities of the 2024 campaign, carried out as part of ENETWILD 2.0, where big efforts were made to expand the network, focusing on sites at risk of African Swine Fever, with wild boar/pig interactions and containing wetlands, as potential hubs for Avian Influenza. This effort resulted in the engagement of 40 participants monitoring 64 study sites (27 countries), including 28 study sites located either in infected areas or < 100km from the ASF frontline, and 25 sites with wetland habitats. Furthermore, in at least 20 sites pig farming is practised either intensively, extensively or as backyard farming. Finally, synergies were established with other international initiatives related to wildlife monitoring and disease prevention, with the aim of sharing experiences and sustaining a transnational data collection and harmonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under an optimal foraging scenario, prey selection would be expected to occur when food resources are abundant. A positive frequency‐dependent prey selection would elicit prey switching when the abundance of main food resources decreases, potentially favouring community resilience to the effects of intensive, selective predation on a single prey. We assessed whether a positive frequency‐dependent prey selection by the wolf Canis lupus occurred in two areas hosting abundant populations of wild ungulates, one in northern (Słowiński National Park, Poland) and the other one in southern (Maremma Regional Park, Italy) Europe, throughout a cold semester. In Słowiński, ungulate community was dominated by red deer Cervus elaphus (57% availability) over wild boar Sus scrofa (35%) and roe deer Capreolus capreolus (8%); wild boar and fallow deer Dama dama (43–37%) were more abundant than roe deer (20%) in Maremma. In both areas, wolf diet was dominated by wild ungulates, with a major use of red deer in Słowiński and wild boar in Maremma. Prey selection occurred in both areas, and it was addressed towards the most abundant prey in Słowiński, that is, the red deer, but only towards the wild boar in Maremma, where the fallow deer was used according to availability. In Slowinski, high red deer density may have driven wolf prey selection, while the shifting of activity rhythms of the fallow deer in the Maremma as antipredator response to wolf presence may have reduced predation. Despite its comparable densities between the two areas, the wild boar was selected in Maremma and under‐used in Słowiński. Results provide partial support to positive frequency‐dependent selection, emphasising the spatiotemporal plasticity of wolf–prey relationships. The relative role of prey density and other factors (e.g., antipredator behavioural responses) should be assessed at longer temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The random encounter model (REM) is a camera trapping method to estimate population density (i.e. number of individuals per unit area) without the need for individual recognition. The REM can be applied considering camera trap data only by tracking the passages of animals in front of the camera (i.e. sequences). However, it has not been assessed how the number of sequences tracked (i.e. trajectory of the animal reconstructed) influences the REM estimates. In this context, we aimed to gain further insights into the relationship between the number of sequences tracked and reliability in REM estimates to optimize its applicability. We monitored multiple species using camera traps, and we applied REM to estimate population density. We considered red fox Vulpes vulpes, roe deer Capreolus capreolus, fallow deer Dama dama, red deer Cervus elaphus and wild boar Sus scrofa as model species. We tracked from a minimum of 154 (red fox) to a maximum of 527 (red deer) sequences per species, and we then sampled the dataset to simulate different scenarios in which a lower number of sequences were tracked (20, 40, 80 and 160). We also assessed the effect of adjusting the survey period to the minimum necessary to record the desired number of sequences. Our results suggest that tracking around 100 sequences returns a precision level equivalent to the one obtained by tracking a considerably higher number of sequences and reduced and optimized the human effort necessary to apply REM. Tracking less than 40 sequences could result in low precise density estimates. Our results also highlighted the relevance of considering study periods of ca. 2 months to increase the number of sequences recorded and tracking a random sample of them. Our results contribute to the optimization and harmonization of REM as a reference method to estimate wildlife population density without the need for individual identification. We make clear recommendations on the cost‐effective sample size for estimating REM parameters, optimizing the human effort when applying REM, and discouraging REM applications based on low sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to reduce human–wildlife conflicts in the area around Liupanshan Nature Reserve in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. This study investigated the financial losses caused by wild boar and their causes. A questionnaire investigation (n = 135) and a field test were conducted, which included 108 sample lines and 97 infrared cameras. A principal component analysis and generalised linear model was used to analyse the importance of the effect of the factors on wild boar damage. Based on an estimate of 17,049 wild boars in the study area, we found that in the agricultural land owned by the residents, the boar density of each county and distance from the village to the nature reserve were the most significant factors that affected crop damage. Then, financial losses in spring, summer, and autumn had a moderate effect on financial loss, and the crop type had the lowest effect. We recommend reducing the wild boar population by increasing leisure hunting and the number of leopards. Additionally, a focus on farmland protection is a practical way to prevent wild boar invasions. Meanwhile, it is also necessary to conduct long-term monitoring of wild boar population status and manage the relationship between the government, research teams, and local people to more efficiently and comprehensively reduce conflicts between humans and wild boars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are increasing worldwide, leading to health, economic and conservation issues. Assessing genetic structure and diversity can aid in the effective monitoring and management of wild boar populations. Processes related to sexual selection and behavioral differences between sexes support the importance of considering sex in measuring genetic diversity. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of wild boar in southwestern Spain by comparing multilocus heterozygosity (MLH) in males and females. We collected tissue samples from 142 culled individuals and 146 fetuses during routine hunting activities and used 16 microsatellite markers to quantify MLH. Paternity analyses were conducted to infer the genotypes of reproductive males. Our results indicated that the sampled individuals constituted a unique polygynandrous population without clear genetic structure. We found that males tended to exhibit lower MLH than females, with reproductive males showing significantly lower MLH than females. We discuss the selection and demographic processes that might explain our results. We highlight the importance of sex-balanced culling for population control, as well as the use of sex-balanced samples for monitoring genetic diversities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, highly hemorrhagic viral disease in domestic pigs and wild boars. The disease is caused by African swine fever virus, a double stranded DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family. ASF can be classified into 25 different genotypes, based on a 478 bp fragment corresponding to the C-terminal sequence of the B646L gene, which is highly conserved among strains and encodes the major capsid protein p72. The C-terminal end of p72 has been used as a PCR target for quick diagnosis of ASF, and its characterization remains the first approach for epidemiological tracking and identification of the origin of ASF in outbreak investigations. Recently, a new classification of ASF, based on the complete sequence of p72, reduced the 25 genotypes into only six genotypes; therefore, it is necessary to have the capability to sequence the full-length B646L gene (p72) in a rapid manner for quick genotype characterization. Here, we evaluate the use of an amplicon approach targeting the whole B646L gene, coupled with nanopore sequencing in a multiplex format using Flongle flow cells, as an easy, low cost, and rapid method for the characterization and genotyping of ASF in real-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decomposition of carcasses by scavengers and microbial decomposers is an important component of the biochemical cycle that can strongly alter the chemical composition of soils locally. Different scavenger guilds are assumed to have a different influence on the chemical elements that leak into the soil, although this assumption has not been empirically tested. Here, we experimentally determine how different guilds of vertebrate scavengers influence local nutrient dynamics. We performed a field experiment in which we systematically excluded different subsets of vertebrate scavengers from decomposing carcasses of fallow deer (Dama dama), and compared elemental concentrations in the soil beneath and in the vegetation next to the carcasses over time throughout the decomposition process. We used four exclusion treatments: excluding (1) no scavengers, thus allowing them all; (2) wild boar (Sus scrofa); (3) all mammals; and (4) all mammals and birds. We found that fluxes of several elements into the soil showed distinct peaks when all vertebrates were excluded. Especially, trace elements (Cu and Zn) seemed to be influenced by carcass decomposition. However, we found no differences in fluxes between partial exclusion treatments. Thus, vertebrate scavengers indeed reduce leakage of elements from carcasses into the soil, hence influencing local biochemical cycles, but did so independent of which vertebrate scavenger guild had access. Our results suggest that carcass-derived elements are dispersed over larger areas rather than locally leak into the soil when vertebrate scavengers dominate the decomposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), having faced a population size reduction during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, is now experiencing a remarkable population recovery, not only confined to natural habitats alone, but also thriving in human-dominated environments. Previously, studies on wild boars predominantly relied on the analysis of supposedly neutral molecular markers (e.g., microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms). In this study, a next-generation sequencing approach was used to examine the adaptive variation at the second exon of the SLA-DRB1 locus in 116 wild boars from the western Balkans. A total of 17 functional SLA-DRB1 alleles were detected which translated into 14 different amino-acid sequences. In 12 individuals, we observed alleles at duplicated SLA-DRB1 loci. Spatial analysis revealed the presence of three genetic clusters, albeit with relatively low overall differentiation (an average FST value of 0.012). Positive selection was detected on only one codon, as indicated by multiple tests, while the presence of shared alleles among related species suggested signals of trans-species polymorphism. Our results indicate the high MHC diversity at the SLA-DRB1 locus in wild boars from the Balkan Peninsula, shaped by a complex interplay of several non-exclusive mechanisms, including balancing selection, recombination, and gene duplications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with the total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), and total number of stillbirths (TNS) in Berkshire pigs. Methods: This study used a total of 11,228 records and 2,843 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data obtained from Illumina porcine 60 K and 80 K chips. The estimated genomic breeding values (GEBVs) and SNP effects were estimated using weighted single-step genomic BLUP (WssGBLUP). Results: The heritabilities of the TNB, NBA, and TNS were determined using single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP). The heritability estimates were 0.13, 0.12, and 0.015 for TNB, NBA, and TNS, respectively. When comparing the accuracy of breeding value estimates, the results using pedigree-based BLUP (PBLUP) were 0.58, 0.60, and 0.31 for TNB, NBA, and TNS, respectively. In contrast, the accuracy increased to 0.67, 0.66, and 0.42 for TNB, NBA, and TNS, respectively, when using WssGBLUP, specifically in the last three iterations. The results of weighted single-step genome-wide association studies (WssGWAS) showed that the highest variance explained for each trait was predominantly located in the Sus scrofa chromosome 5 (SSC5) region. Specifically, the variance exceeded 4% for TNB, 3% for NBA, and 6% for TNS. Within the SSC5 region (12.26 to 12.76 Mb), which exhibited the highest variance for TNB, 20 SNPs were identified, and five candidate genes were identified: TIMP3, SYN3, FBXO7, BPIFC, and RTCB. Conclusion: The identified SNP markers for TNB, NBA, and TNS were expected to provide valuable information for genetic improvement as an understanding of their expression and genetic architecture in Berkshire pigs. With the accumulation of more phenotype and SNP data in the future, it is anticipated that more effective SNP markers will be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although advances in long-read sequencing technology and genome assembly techniques have facilitated the study of genomes, little is known about the genomes of unique Chinese indigenous breeds, including the Huai pig. Huai pig is an ancient domestic pig breed and is well-documented for its redder meat color and high forage tolerance compared to European domestic pigs. In the present study, we sequenced and assembled the Huai pig genome using PacBio, Hi-C, and Illumina sequencing technologies. The final highly contiguous chromosome-level Huai pig genome spans 2.53 Gb with a scaffold N50 of 138.92 Mb. The Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) completeness score for the assembled genome was 95.33%. Remarkably, 23,389 protein-coding genes were annotated in the Huai-pig genome, along with 45.87% repetitive sequences. Overall, this study provided new foundational resources for future genetic research on Chinese domestic pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and quantifying the main factors that are jeopardizing amphibian communities worldwide is essential for planning effective amphibian conservation. We collected data on the presence/absence of salamanders and newts (Caudata) and frogs and toads (Anura) in >3600 water points from a large region (30,000 km2) in NW Spain during a 10‐year period (2004–2013). We contrasted a large set of hypotheses explaining presence/absence as a function of anthropogenic factors across the regional elevation gradient (1–2036 m). Logistic regression modeling revealed that salamanders and newts were mainly influenced by pollution and by land use changes, and that the effect of these factors changed with elevation. However, frogs and toads were affected by a larger set of factors acting synergistically, although not including land use changes, and their effect operated at all elevation ranges, except in the case of biological factors (invasive species and wild boar abundance) with higher effects at low elevation. Changes in land use was the most common factor at any elevation and included the abandonment of rural areas, which favors shrub and tree encroachment on former open land, and loss of water points. The most resilient species at any elevation were two frogs, Pelophylax perezi and Rana parvipalmata. The least resilient species were two salamanders, Chioglossa lusitanica and Lissotriton helveticus, followed closely by two toads, Alytes obstetricans and Pelobates cultripes. Unoccupied sites had higher frequencies of biological effects and of changes in land use in the first 5 years of study and lower frequencies of direct human influence factors in the second period. Overall, our results showed that the studied amphibian metacommunity was negatively influenced both by direct and indirect anthropogenic factors, but also that many amphibian species were not only capable of occupying sites which had been altered by human action, but were even favored by land uses generating open habitat, a habitat type that is increasingly uncommon in the region, in the entire Iberian Peninsula and in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the habitat distribution of wild boar has expanded in Japan, and the damage caused by wild boar has been significantly increased. In Bingo Sports Park, a regional park, wild boar damage has also been increasingly severe. To take effective measures, it is necessary to understand where wild boars enter the park, how they move through it, and where the damage is caused. Therefore, this study examines both environmental characteristics inside and outside the park and behavioral characteristics of wild boar using drones, sensor technology and GIS, and then clarifies the main factors contributing to wild boar damage based the logistic regression analysis. In addition, countermeasures such as installing electric fences and repellents were taken, and their effectiveness was verified. There were three main findings. First, the behavioral pattern of wild boars was found to be likely to enter from valleys and usually move on roads in the park. Second, the probability of occurring wild boar damage is higher in areas closer to roads and valleys with more natural cover. Third, the countermeasures have a significant effect on reducing wild boar damage since the amount of damage in the Multi-purposed square installed countermeasure was too small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife monitoring is key for the effective management of natural resources. Hunting-based data (e.g., hunting bag statistics) is an important source of information to overcome the financial constraints imposed to long-term monitoring. Here, taking advantage of three decades (1989–2022) of hunting bag statistics of wild mammals in Portugal, we present the trends and discuss the issues regarding nine game species (five wild ungulates, two carnivores and two lagomorphs). Our results show that hunting bag statistics mirror the general population trends of wild mammal populations at a national scale. The data reflects the increase in number and distribution of roe deer, red deer and wild boar, and the recent expansion experienced by the Egyptian mongoose. The decline in the numbers of European wild rabbit and Iberian hare harvested are also noticeable. Hunting-based data have been used in several research contexts; however, this information is usually affected by geographical, temporal and recording bias. Portugal is no exception. Engaging the interested stakeholders is pivotal to ensure data quality. By reporting reliable and systematically collected hunting data, game managers and wildlife researchers will be able to better understand the main drivers of population dynamics, adjust hunting bags towards sustainable yield and assess the ecological and socio-economic relevance of the hunting sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has become increasingly important in recent years in terms of risk for public health, as the main causative agent of acute viral hepatitis. It is a foodborne disease transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated water or contaminated food. Human-to-human transmission is sporadic and is linked to transfusions or transplants. The main reservoirs of the hepatitis E virus are domestic pigs and wild boars, although, compared to pigs, wild boars represent a lesser source of risk since their population is smaller and the consumption of derived products is more limited. These peculiarities often make the role of the wild boar reservoir in the spread of the disease underestimated. As a public health problem that involves several animal species and humans, the management of the disease requires an interdisciplinary approach, and the concept of "One Health" must be addressed. In this direction, the present review intends to analyze viral hepatitis E, with a particular focus on wild boar. For this purpose, literature data have been collected from different scientific search engines: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google scholar, and several keywords such as "HEV epidemiology", "Extrahepatic manifestations of Hepatitis E", and "HEV infection control measures", among others, have been used. In the first part, the manuscript provides general information on the disease, such as epidemiology, transmission methods, clinical manifestations and implications on public health. In the second part, it addresses in more detail the role of wild boar as a reservoir and the implications related to the virus epidemiology. The document will be useful to all those who intend to analyze this infectious disease from a "One-Health" perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Telemetry studies on terrestrial mammals have been carried out almost exclusively using neck collar-mounted devices. However, collars are not suitable for all species and all age classes and may therefore compromise animal welfare and data quality requirements. Here, we evaluate the use of non-collar tracking devices on wild boars (Sus scrofa), a species for which collars may be problematic due to neck shape and seasonal body mass variation. We tested pelt-glued tags and three types of GPS ear tags. In addition, animals were marked with plain cattle ear tags. Results: The tested GPS tags exhibited various technical challenges related mostly to satellite coverage of the study area and tag loss. However, GPS devices enabled moderate movement monitoring of weeks to months, whereas plain cattle ear tags offered information on displacement over longer time intervals. The longest direct dispersal distance (163 km) by a wild boar sounder was discovered by cattle tags. Conclusions: Data volume and quality obtained from small tags are inferior to data provided by GPS collars, but low-fix rate tags may enable monitoring of individuals with reduced invasiveness. Moreover, these tags enable tracking in cases where the collar is not an option. The low price and small size of the devices together with technical developments may offer cost-effective tools for future studies on dispersal and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rapidly expanding human activities have profoundly changed the habitat use of both large carnivores and their prey, but whether and how human activities affect the interactions between them has received relatively less attention. In this study, we conducted a systematically designed camera-trapping survey on an endangered large carnivore (North Chinese leopard Panthera pardus japonensis) and its wild ungulate prey (Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygargus and wild boar Sus scrofa) in the Taihang Mountains of central North China. Using conditional two-species occupancy model based on data derived from the extensive sampling effort (15,654 camera-days at 102 camera sites), we examined the relationship of spatial use between leopards and each prey species under the effects of human presence, free-ranging cattle, roads and settlements. Results: Humans and cattle had contrasting effects on the relationship of spatial use between leopard and roe deer, with higher and lower spatial segregation between them at human and cattle-frequented sites, respectively. Roads might create a shelter for wild boar from leopard predation, with less spatial segregation between them at sites close to the roads. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that human activities are reshaping the spatial overlap between large carnivores and their prey, and have non-equivalent effects among different types of human activity. Such effects may further alter the strength of interspecific interactions between predator and prey, with far-reaching influences on the community and ecosystem that require more research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the growing need for effective food safety protocols in game meat, this study introduces a novel DNase I treatment and heat kill method to detect live bacterial pathogens in meat, particularly in game. Focusing on male wild boar shoulder meat, we tested the method’s efficacy under a stringent condition of 59°C for 60 minutes. The results demonstrate that DNase I remains active, enabling the accurate differentiation between viable and non-viable bacterial cells for precise pathogen quantification. This method’s simplicity and potential for high-throughput processing suggest it could be an invaluable tool for enhancing the safety and quality of game meat. These findings offer a practical approach to game meat safety, and can permit large-scale food safety testing across various meat types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDHc) orchestrates a critical reaction regulating the TCA cycle. Although the structure of each OGDHc subunit has been solved, the architecture of the intact complex and inter-subunit interactions still remain unknown. Here we report the assembly of native, intact OGDHc from Sus scrofa heart tissue using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), and subtomogram averaging (STA) to discern native structures of the whole complex and each subunit. Our cryo-EM analyses revealed the E2o cubic core structure comprising eight homotrimers at 3.3-Å resolution. More importantly, the numbers, positions and orientations of each OGDHc subunit were determined by cryo-ET and the STA structures of the core were resolved at 7.9-Å with the peripheral subunits reaching nanometer resolution. Although the distribution of the peripheral subunits E1o and E3 vary among complexes, they demonstrate a certain regularity within the position and orientation. Moreover, we analyzed and validated the interactions between each subunit, and determined the flexible binding mode for E1o, E2o and E3, resulting in a proposed model of Sus scrofa OGDHc. Together, our results reveal distinctive factors driving the architecture of the intact, native OGDHc. The 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDHc) is a rate-limiting enzyme complex regulating the TCA cycle. Here, the authors use cryo-EM and cryo-ET to discern native structures of the whole complex and reveal its assembly mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important challenge for large carnivore conservation is negative human-wildlife interaction. Livestock depredation by carnivores is one important aspect of this negative interaction. Hence, it is critical to understand the extent of livestock depredation by large carnivores through their diet profiles and feeding habits for managing and strategizing conservation measures. We investigated the food habits and dietary patterns of two large sympatric carnivores, the Tiger Panthera tigris and the Leopard Panthera pardus based on scat samples collected in wildlife corridors outside protected areas (PAs) in the Indo-Nepal transboundary and Corbett landscape in Uttarakhand, India. The frequency of occurrence of prey items in the scat samples was used to estimate the relative prey biomass and number of preys consumed by the Tigers and Leopards using a generalised biomass model. Scat analysis revealed the presence of mainly wild prey species, encompassing 12 species in tiger scat and 14 species in Leopard scat. The results show that Tigers and Leopards primarily depend on medium-sized prey, with relative prey biomass consumption of 53% and 60%, respectively. Tigers preyed most frequently on Wild Boar Sus scrofa, followed by Spotted Deer Axis axis, and Leopards preyed mostly on Spotted Deer, followed by Wild Boar. The relative biomass of livestock species in Tiger and Leopard diets is 14.2% and 15.7%, respectively. Dietary overlap between Tiger and Leopard was high, with the Leopard exhibiting a broader dietary niche breadth than the Tiger. Augmenting wild prey population through habitat improvement and protection outside PAs can significantly limit human-large carnivore conflict by decreasing livestock contribution in their diet. Studies on dietary habits need to expand to wildlife corridors and outside PAs in human-dominated landscapes to understand the ecological dynamics of human-wildlife negative interaction for future conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the evolution, ecology, and management of wild boar and deer. These animals, which are part of the even-toed ungulate group, have significant impacts on natural communities and human activities worldwide. They can cause conflicts with humans, such as crop damage and traffic accidents, but also provide economic benefits through recreational hunting. The document presents recent research findings on topics such as detecting wild boar using computer vision techniques, the effects of hunting on deer movements, and the genetic diversity of red deer populations. It emphasizes the importance of population monitoring for research and effective management, and suggests future research directions for studying and managing these species. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Wildlife in human-dominated landscapes often faces a range of disturbances that can alter their natural behaviors. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are increasing across Europe, raising concerns about ecological impacts and the spread of diseases such as African swine fever (ASF). This research focuses on the behavioral adaptations of wild boars in response to specific human disturbances. Utilizing advanced biologging technologies, specifically accelerometer and magnetometer combined with dead reckoning methods, fifteen wild boars in a suburban forest near Prague were monitored over a period from February 2020 to July 2021. This study provides insights into the wild boar's resilience, revealing that while the animals are inclined to flee when near disturbances, they predominantly remain in a resting state otherwise. Their most common reaction was to continue resting. These observations underscore the potential role of disturbance management in controlling the spread of zoonotic diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) within wild boar populations. Currently, African swine fever (ASF), a highly fatal disease has become pervasive, with outbreaks recorded across European countries, leading to preventative measures to restrict wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) movement, and, therefore, keep ASF from spreading. This study aims to detail how specific human activities—defined as "car", "dog", "chainsaw", and "tourism"—affect wild boar behavior, considering the disturbance proximity, and evaluate possible implications for wild boar management in ASF-affected areas. Wild boar behavior was studied using advanced biologging technology. This study tracks and analyzes wild boar movements and behavioral responses to human disturbances. This study utilizes the dead reckoning method to precisely reconstruct the animal movements and evaluate behavioral changes based on proximity to disturbances. The sound of specific human activities was reproduced for telemetered animals from forest roads from different distances. Statistical analyses show that wild boars exhibit increased vigilance and altered movement patterns in response to closer human activity, but only in a small number of cases and with no significantly longer time scale. The relative representation of behaviors after disruption confirmed a high instance of resting behavior (83%). Running was the least observed reaction in only 0.9% of all cases. The remaining reactions were identified as foraging (5.1%), walking (5.0%), standing (2.2%), and other (3.8%). The findings suggest that while human presence and activities do influence wild boar behavior, adherence to movement restrictions and careful management of human activity in ASF-infected areas is not a necessary measure if human movement is limited to forest roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]