Paternity assessment in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) - Are littermates full-sibs?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

delgado, r (Author) Other; fernandez-llario, p (Author) Other; azevedo, m (Author) Other; beja-pereira, a (Author) FCUP; santos, p (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Mammalian Biology

Vol. 73

Pages: 169-176

ISSN: 1616-5047

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 26 Citations

Scopus - 29 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-42D

DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2007.07.008

Abstract (EN): Multiple paternity within litters occurs in various groups of mammals exhibiting different mating systems. Using seven genetic markers (i.e., microsatellites), we investigated the paternity of littermates in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) in a Mediterranean habitat. Using the software CERVUS 2.0 we estimated the probability of detecting multiple paternity across all loci (D), the probability of paternity (W) and a statistic Delta that allows the assignment of paternity to the most likely male with strict and relaxed levels of confidence. Multiple paternity was inferred for one of the nine analysed litters at the 80% confidence level. This suggests that a single male may control the access to receptive adult females and it shows that multiple paternity is not very common in the studied free-ranging wild boar population. Despite the possible occurrence of sperm competition and/or female cryptic choice, mate guarding seems to play a significant role in sexual selection. To better understand the wild boar's mating strategies further studies analysing the reproductive success of both sexes and under different environmental conditions should be conducted. (c) 2007 Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Saugetierkunde. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific