On issues related to the management of ungulates ed especially on wild boar, we are used to continuous discussions and not always supported by correct technical-scientific elements. Not always, however, science or at least determined specific studies, seem to confirm some presumed certainties that are often highlighted to justify the exponential increase of wild boar in the area. One of these examples is certainly that ofhybridization of the species. Hybridization and population growth would go hand in hand.
Dr Francis Santilli, a well-known wildlife technician who has been collaborating with our technical structure for years, has highlighted through a post published on the "Wildlife Management" page, reported in its entirety below, a recent study - Scandura M. et al. Resilience to historical human manipulations in the genomic variation of Italian wild boar populations. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution: 2022, 69. - which seems to disprove this belief. “For years we have been told that the problem of the boar population explosion was largely due to the replacement and / or hybridization of Maremma wild boars with larger and more prolific individuals imported from northern Europe and hybridization with domestic pigs.
However, a study of molecular genetics has greatly undermined this belief. Genome analysis of 134 animals killed in 6 areas of the peninsula and in Sardinia, highlighted that the Italian populations, although very heterogeneous, are well differentiated from the European ones and also have a lower genetic variability. Also the signs of introgression (incorporation of genes from different species, subspecies or varieties) ”Both from non-Italian wild boars and from domestic pigs appeared to be very limited.
It therefore seems that the native component of the genetic variability of a large part of the Italian wild boar populations is clearly prevalent compared to that of exogenous character and that the manipulations of an anthropic nature (immissions, crossings and repopulation) have had a much lower effect than previously believed. The huge growth of wild boar populations is therefore from to be sought mainly in environmental transformations that have characterized our country, while the manipulations and genetic changes undergone by this species have played an almost insignificant role. " (CCT).