Genetic Structure of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) Population in Portugal

The main objective of this study was the assessment of the genetic structure and level of variability in the Portuguese wild boar population. A total of 65 wild boar blood samples were collected all over the continental territory, during 2002/03 and 2003/04 hunting seasons. A set of six microsatellite markers, developed for domestic pig, was used. Loci SW986 and SW828 presented a small number of alleles for the Portuguese population, whereas other l o c i, like SW1701 and SW1517, presented a high degree of polymorphism. From the six analysed l o c i, four presented significant deviation from Hardy-We i n b e rg equilibrium conditions, suggesting the existence of genetic structure in the population. Samples were divided into North, Centre and South groups according to the position of wild boar capture location in relation to rivers Douro and Tejo. All the FST estimates were statistically significant and the highest FST value was 0.08 (P<0.001), referring to the distance between Northern and Central groups. FCA analysis was also performed. The resulting bi-dimensional diagram suggests structuring of the Portuguese wild boar population.