Analyses of Possible Domestic Pig Contribution in Two Populations of Finnish Farmed Wild Boar

Abstract

It is believed that some Finnish farmed “Wild Boars” may not originate from genuine European Wild Boar. To test this the D-loop mitochondrial sequence and nuclear glucosephosphate isomerase processed pseudogene (GPIP) and melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) genes were analysed in 41 Finnish farmed Wild Boar from two farms in order to determine if there was any evidence of hybrid origins. D-loop sequences clustered with European domestic pigs and northern European Wild Boars. On one farm, animals had both European and Asian/European GPIP genotypes suggestive of crossbreeding, while on the other, animals had exclusively European GPIP alleles. One animal from the first farm also had a MC1R genotype, strongly indicative of crossbreeding with European domestic pigs while the other 40 animals showed MC1R genotypes expected for genuine European Wild Boar. Joint consideration of all markers suggests that domestic pigs may have contributed to the origins of the “Wild Boar” on one of the farms.

Keywords:

• D-loop
• GPIP
• MC1R

Notes

^*Corresponding author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. Gongora*

*Corresponding author.