Dataset Information

The mark of captivity: plastic responses in the ankle bone of a wild ungulate (Sus scrofa).

ABSTRACT: Deciphering the plastic (non-heritable) changes induced by human control over wild animals in the archaeological record is challenging. We hypothesized that changes in locomotor behaviour in a wild ungulate due to mobility control could be quantified in the bone anatomy. To test this, we experimented with the effect of mobility reduction on the skeleton of wild boar (Sus scrofa), using the calcaneus shape as a possible phenotypic marker. We first assessed differences in shape variation and covariation in captive-reared and wild-caught wild boars, taking into account differences in sex, body mass, available space for movement and muscle force. This plastic signal was then contrasted with the phenotypic changes induced by selective breeding in domestic pigs. We found that mobility reduction induces a plastic response beyond the shape variation of wild boars in their natural habitat, associated with a reduction in the range of locomotor behaviours and muscle loads. This plastic signal of captivity in the calcaneus shape differs from the main changes induced by selective breeding for larger muscle and earlier development that impacted the pigs' calcaneus shape in a much greater extent than the mobility reduction during the domestication process of their wild ancestors.

SUBMITTER: Harbers H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7137979 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The mark of captivity: plastic responses in the ankle bone of a wild ungulate (<i>Sus scrofa</i>).

Harbers Hugo H Neaux Dimitri D Ortiz Katia K Blanc Barbara B Laurens Flavie F Baly Isabelle I Callou Cécile C Schafberg Renate R Haruda Ashleigh A Lecompte François F Casabianca François F Studer Jacqueline J Renaud Sabrina S Cornette Raphael R Locatelli Yann Y Vigne Jean-Denis JD Herrel Anthony A Cucchi Thomas T

Royal Society open science 20200304 3

Deciphering the plastic (non-heritable) changes induced by human control over wild animals in the archaeological record is challenging. We hypothesized that changes in locomotor behaviour in a wild ungulate due to mobility control could be quantified in the bone anatomy. To test this, we experimented with the effect of mobility reduction on the skeleton of wild boar (<i>Sus scrofa</i>), using the calcaneus shape as a possible phenotypic marker. We first assessed differences in shape variation an ...[more]

PMID: 32269811

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Project description:BackgroundIn recent years, the wildlife/livestock interface has attracted increased attention due to disease transmission between wild and domestic animal populations. The ongoing spread of African swine fever (ASF) in European wild boar (Sus scrofa) emphasize the need for further understanding of the wildlife/livestock interface to prevent disease spill-over between the wild and domestic populations. Although wild boar may also act as a potential source for other infectious disease agents, ASF is currently the most severe threat from wild boar to domestic pigs. To gather information on the wild boar situation at commercial pig producing farms in Sweden, a digital questionnaire survey was distributed through the animal health services.ResultsMost pigs produced for commercial purposes in Sweden are raised without outdoor access. Of the 211 responding pig producers, 80% saw wild boar or signs of wild boar activity in the vicinity of their farm at least once during the year. Observations were significantly correlated with geographical region, but there was no correlation between farm characteristics (farm size, main type of production, outdoor access) and observed wild boar presence or proximity. However, a reported higher frequency of wild boar observations was positively correlated with the observations being made in closer proximity to the farm. Hunting and strategic baiting were the most common mitigation strategies used to keep wild boar at bay. Of the 14 farms raising pigs with outdoor access, 12 responded that these pigs could be raised solely indoors if needed. Pigs with outdoor access are required to be fenced in, but double fencing in these outdoor pig enclosures was not practiced by all. A perimeter fence surrounding any type of pig farm was very rare. More than half of the producers that grew crops with intended use for pigs reported crop damage by wild boar.ConclusionThis study shows that although pigs raised for commercial purposes in Sweden are, to a large extent, kept indoors the potential for indirect contact with wild boar exists and must be considered. Variable local situations regarding wild boar abundance may require an adaptive approach regarding biosecurity efforts.

Dataset Information

The mark of captivity: plastic responses in the ankle bone of a wild ungulate (Sus scrofa).

Publications

The mark of captivity: plastic responses in the ankle bone of a wild ungulate (<i>Sus scrofa</i>).

Similar Datasets

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