The origins of the feral pigs on the Auckland Islands

Abstract

At least three releases of pigs (Sus scrofa) on the Auckland Islands were made in the early to mid 19th century, the first in 1807 and the third probably in 1842. Initially the releases were to provide food for shipwreck victims and/or sealers and whalers. Whether these pigs were of European, Asian, or Pacific stocks was unknown. Asa protection measure for what may now be a rare breed, the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand removed 17 of the feral pigs from the main Auckland Island in 1999. Mitochondrial DNA studies were carried out using blood obtained from five of these pigs. Comparisons of D‐loop mitochondrial DNA were made among Auckland Island pigs, a range of modern pig breeds, and wild boar from both Europe and Asia. The five Auckland Island pigs sampled are identical over the 394 base pairs studied and are most closely related to European pig breeds, which strongly suggests that they are of European origin.

Keywords:

• Auckland Islands
• D‐loop
• feral pigs
• mtDNA
• phylogenetics
• Sus scrofa

Notes

Centre for Archaeological Research, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92 019, Auckland, New Zealand.

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92 019, Auckland, New Zealand.

The Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92 019, Auckland, New Zealand.

Author for correspondence. Email: e.matisoo‐[email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Judith H. Robins

1 3

Elizabeth Matisoo‐Smith

1 3 *

Howard A. Ross

2 3