Projects - Feral Pig Population Genetics
Feral Pig Population Ecology and Genetics
Feral pigs were introduced in the 1800's (and perhaps earlier) to coastal and inland California. Facinating creatures that they are, these non-native ecological rototillers (seeking their soil-borne food) can quickly destroy native vegetation, and disrupt the ecology of entire hill sides.
How are populations of feral pigs (often also called "wild pigs" in California) grouped across the California landscape? What are the relative genetic influences of domestic pig and Eurasian Wild Boar? We are working to answer these and other questions about feral pig ecology.
We are collaborating with California Department of Fish and Game, USDA, and private hunters and ranchers to collect samples from feral pigs throughout the state. We provide sampling kits to collaborators and then archive and analyze the samples from their hunts. Included in the kit we provide are paper (Nubuto) strips for sampling blood, tubes for collecting tissue samples, and an envelope for collecting plucked hairs.
If you are interested in participating in this study please contact Jay Well . A feral pig (photo courtesy Rick Sweitzer). We are currently studying the ecology of feral pig populations here in California, specifically how different feral pig populations interact with each other, by analyzing their DNA. Hopefully this information can be used to better understand the lifestyle of these animals as a unique species as well as to manage pig diseases within the state. Holly Ernest and Jay Well. Elizabeth Heeg worked on initial stages of this project for her MS in Genetics. Elizabeth Long contributed laboratory work on the project.
For more information on feral pigs, see:
Pinnacles National Monument, Nature and Science: Wild Pigs
APHIS: Wild pigs
