<div>Reproductive efficiency in sows and boars affects the profitability of swine production systems. However, breeding stock selection is primarily based on progeny performance traits such as feed efficiency, growth rate, carcass characteristics, physical appearance, and structure, especially for terminal sire lines, with less emphasis on reproduction. While maternal sire lines are co-selected for reproductive traits including birth litter size, number weaned, weaning weight, and wean to estrus interval, currently, there is no single test predictive of fertility, and thus subfertile males and sub-fertile or even infertile females enter the swine breeding herds (Oh et al., 2006b; Safranski, 2008). Thus, to maximize economic returns and swine production efficiency there is a need for a biomarker to identify boars and gilts with the greatest reproductive potential before admittance into the breeding herd. The overall aim of the described studies was to determine if biomarkers of fertility of boars and gilts could be identified in biological samples taken prior to or just after animals entering the breeding herds using high throughput omic screening tools resulting from recent advancements in mass spectrometry.</div><div>Current semen evaluation techniques only identify boars with fertility issues associated with sperm motility, morphology, and concentration. We know that seminal plasma proteins are essential for proper sperm function and play an important role in fertilization. Therefore, we hypothesized that fertility differences could be reflected in the seminal plasma proteome profiles. A fertility index was created from 110 boars with data on total born and farrowing rate following 50 single-sired matings. Thirty-two of the 110 boars were identified as having extreme phenotypes for total born and farrowing rate and were categorized into one of the following: high farrowing rate and high total born (HFHB; n=9), high farrowing rate with low total born (HFLB; n=10), low farrowing rate and low total born (LFLB; n=9), and low farrowing rate with high total born (LFHB; n=4). The seminal plasma proteins were isolated and measured using label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). There were 436 proteins measured in at least one sample across all animals, with 245 proteins considered for analysis (detected in samples of at least n=3 animals/phenotype). Of the 245 proteins, 56 were differentially abundant (P < 0.05) between the high fertility phenotype (HFHB) and at least one of the three subfertile groups. Proteins previously associated with fertility such as Porcine seminal protein I (PSP-I) and epididymis-specific alpha-mannosidase (MAN2B2) and free radical detoxification such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4), and glutathione peroxidase 6 (GPX6) were more abundant in HFHB. Subfertile phenotypes had a greater abundance of blood microparticle proteins, biomarkers of inflammation, and lower inositol-1-monophosphatase (IMPA1), which regulates inositol production. Findings supported that seminal plasma protein profiles were distinct between boars with different fertility phenotypes and have the potential to predict boar reproductive performance.</div><div>The selection of replacement females for the sow herd is one of the most important facets in sow system management. However, selection of gilts for sow herd replacements is primarily based on how the animal appears such as feet and leg confirmation, the gilt’s underline, and parent past performance. This practice resulted in a high degree of variation in sow reproductive performance traits such as pigs per sow per year (PSY) and increased culling rates due to reproductive failure. In female swine, perinatal nutritional environment has been associated with their long-term fertility. The vaginal lipidome of 2 day and 14 day old gilts was found reflective of nutrition source, which suggests that perinatal nutrition affects the composition of reproductive tissues. Thus, it was hypothesized that the vaginal lipidome profiles of gilts at weaning would be reflective of fertility later in life. The first study aimed to find potential on-farm biomarkers that technicians could use to make selection decisions. Variables chosen as potential biomarkers have potential to influence or predict long-term fertility. Data were prospectively collected from 2146 gilts born on a commercial sow production facility and included birth and weaning weights, vulva length and width at 21 d postnatal (PN), birth and nursing litter size, days nursed, average daily gain from birth to weaning, and age at first estrus. Of the initial animals, 400 (17%) were selected for the sow herd, 353 remained after removing animals culled for non-reproductive reasons. Animals were assigned to 1 of 5 reproductive performance categories based on observation of estrus or pigs per sow per year (PSY) across two farrowings: High Fertility (HF; 23%; n=82; ≥26 PSY), Middle Fertility (MF2; 12%; n=43; 20-25 PSY), Low Fertility (MF3; 15%; n=54; <20 PSY), Infertile-Estrus (IFe; 10%; n= 36; estrus, no pregnancy), and Infertile-No Estrus (IFno; 39%; n=138; no estrus, no pregnancy). Generalized linear model analysis indicated vulva width (P=0.03) was related to PSY, however, it only explained 1.5% of the total variation in PSY. To determine if preweaning variables were predictive of gilt fertility outcome, animals were grouped as those that became pregnant (n=179) or not (n=174). Vulva width tended to be greater in fertile animals versus infertile (P=0.07). Binomial regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between vulva width and gilt fertility; however, this relationship is not strong enough to make sow herd selection decisions.</div><div>Because gilts are so phenotypically similar at weaning, we hypothesized that the biomarker predictive of fertility at this stage of selection might need a more sensitive means of detection. Therefore, we evaluated the vaginal lipid profiles from a subset of animals enrolled in the previous study that were the extremes of fertility phenotype: High Fertility (HF; n=28; ≥26 PSY) and Infertile (IF; n=34; no estrus, no pregnancy). Vaginal swabs of the anterior vagina were taken at 21 ± 4 d PN. Lipids were extracted from cellular material collected with swabs and analyzed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) profiling for lipidome analysis. Relative abundance of arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) were lower (P<0.05) in IF gilts than HF gilts, whereas abundance of the free fatty acids cerotic (C26:0), ximenic (C26:1), and nonadecanoic (C19:0) acids were greater (P<0.05) in IF gilts. Additionally, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5), a precursor of prostaglandins, was also higher (P<0.05) in IF gilts.</div><div> Previous studies support that higher levels of arachidonic acid in vaginal lipidomes maybe a biomarker of colostrum intake, and thus provides further evidence for a relationship between fertility and the perinatal nutritional environment. The perspective of having a panel of lipids captured with vaginal swabs at weaning that can predict the reproductive efficiency of gilts shows promise and warrants future research in this area. Taken together, the experiments described above demonstrate that detection of infertile and subfertile animals before entering the breeding herd is possible and warrants further development and validation of diagnostic panels capable of doing so. </div><div><br></div>

The new legislative situation raises once again the question which alternatives exist in order to avoid boar taint exist, if piglet castration would be forbidden and fattening of boars would be a common practise. The aim this study was to contrast approaches from the large number of new and elder literatures with the subjects of reducing and eliminating boar taint and to assess the effectiveness of these methods to avoid boar taint. For the first time, these findings were presented in a summarised and concentrated form. After reviewing 857 titles out of the year 1911 up to 2015, 664 sources of literature were chosen from all fields of pig breeding, housing and feeding, application of drugs, meat processing and the answer of consumers give a comprehensive understanding on the term of boar taint and the alternatives of piglet castration. There is no single strategy against boar taint being exposed after this work. There are some approaches possible: the immunocastration that gained acceptance in Australia and Belgium is an animal welfare friendly and in practice feasibly method. But it needs an inspection for boar taint at the slaughter line. The fattening of young boars, supported by Switzerland, could be improved by an optimised housing and feeding strategy, as well as the use of breeding lines for low boar taint. The processing of boar meat to premium products is possible. However, the amount of tainted boar meat coming into processing is still not clarified. It remains to be seen, how Germany will solve the problem of piglet castration.:Table of contents II Abbreviations and Definitions V 1 Introduction 1 2 Alternatives for boar taint reduction or elimination 3 2.1 Breed and genetics 3 2.1.1 Literature review 3 2.1.2 Breeding efforts 6 2.1.2.1 Differences in breeds 6 Breeding differences with view to boar taint perception and androstenone 6 Breeding differences on chromosomal and enzymatic level 9 Breeding differences with view to skatole and indole 10 Breeding differences with view to boar taint compounds 11 2.1.2.2 Heritability 13 Heritability for boar taint in general 13 Heritability for androstenone 14 Heritability for skatole and indole 15 2.1.2.3 Breeding selection 16 Breeding selection for boar taint 16 Breeding selection for androstenone 18 Breeding selection for skatole and indole 19 Using selection against boar taint in breeding programs 19 2.1.3 Genetic selection 20 2.1.3.1 Genetics of enzymes 20 Enzymes and QTL for androstenone 21 Enzymes and QTL for skatole and indole 25 2.1.3.2 Genetics on the chromosomal level 27 Genetic features for lowering androstenone and boar taint levels 29 Genetic features for lowering skatole and indole levels 35 2.2 Sperm-sexing 37 2.3 Killing of newborn male piglets 39 2.4 Fattening of boars 39 2.4.1 Feeding of boars – literature review 39 2.4.2 Feeding strategies 42 2.4.2.1 Energy/nutrient-density/protein diet 42 2.4.2.2 Ad libitum/restrictive feeding/fasting 43 2.4.2.3 Wet feeding/whey/lactose 48 2.4.2.4 RPS - raw potato starch 51 2.4.2.5 FOS - fructooligosaccarides 56 2.4.2.6 NSP- non starch polysaccharides/readily digestible raw fibre/alternative energy – pectin 64 2.4.2.7 Raw protein 68 2.4.2.8 Corn/cereals/plants with cellulose, a NSP 72 2.4.2.9 Garlic 76 2.4.2.10 Bicarbonate/organic acids 76 2.4.2.11 Enzyme/vitamins/trace elements 76 2.4.2.12 Other feedstuffs 76 2.4.2.13 Activated carbon/Tween-60: polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate 76 2.4.3 Housing conditions of boars – literature review 80 2.4.4 Housing conditions to avoid boar taint 81 2.4.4.1 Hygiene/fully slatted floor 81 2.4.4.2 Space/employment 84 2.4.4.3 Photoperiod/season/temperature 87 2.4.4.4 Sex composition of pig groups/mixed or single sex group 94 2.4.4.5 Social hierarchy/split marketing/farrow-to-finish system 102 2.4.5 Age and weight of boars 111 2.5 Application of drugs 112 2.5.1 Literature review 112 2.5.2 Down–regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by exogenous hormonal drugs 112 2.5.2.1 Foragynol 113 2.5.2.2 Stilbene/DES 113 2.5.2.3 Estrogens 114 2.5.2.4 Progesterone 114 2.5.2.5 Testosterone and Trenbolone together with Estrogens 114 2.5.2.6 Testosterone 115 2.5.2.7 Gestagens/inhibitors: NTÖ, CMA, CPA, 19-NTA 115 2.5.2.8 GnRH 117 2.5.2.9 pST 118 2.5.3 Inhibitors of metabolism pathways 118 2.5.3.1 3β-HSD 118 2.5.3.2 Progesterone/5α-pregnane-3,20-dione 119 2.5.3.3 5α- reductase and CYP 17 119 2.5.4 Antibiotics 119 2.5.5 Immunocastration 121 2.6 Consumer evaluation 122 2.7 Processing of tainted boar meat 127 2.7.1 Literature review 127 2.7.2 Hanging/chilling 129 2.7.3 Mix/dilution 130 2.7.4 Heating/cold consumption 130 2.7.5 Masking 132 2.7.5.1 Masking (spices, starter cultures, liver tissue) 132 2.7.5.2 Smoking 133 2.7.6 Curing 134 2.7.7 Varieties of processed meat 135 2.7.7.1 Ham 135 2.7.7.2 Bacon 137 2.7.7.3 Salami sausages 137 2.7.7.4 Sausages 138 2.7.8 Other processing methods 139 3 Discussion 140 3.1 Breed and genetics 140 3.1.1 Breed difference 140 3.1.2 Heritability 141 3.1.3 Breeding selection 141 3.1.4 Genetics of enzymes 142 3.1.5 Genetics on chromosomal level 143 3.2 Fattening of boars 144 3.2.1 Feeding 144 3.2.2 Housing 147 3.3 Application of drugs 149 3.4 Processing of boar meat 151 4 Conclusion 154 4.1 Breed and genetics 154 4.2 Fattening of boars 155 4.2.1 Feeding 155 4.2.2 Housing 155 4.3 Application of drugs 156 4.4 Processing of boar meat 156 5 Summary 157 6 Zusammenfassung 159 7 Annexe 161 8 List of tables 225 9 List of figures 226 10 References 227 Acknowledgment 272

This thesis builds on my bachelor thesis "Selected mammals in elementary and secondary education". It deals with the opinions of 8th and 9th grade pupils of elementary schools on the dangers posed by selected mammal species. Among the selected species in this work are brown bear (Ursus arktos), wolf (Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx lynx), fox (Vulpes vulpes), dog (Canis lupus familiaris), and wild boar (Sus strofa). All these animals are found in the territory of the Czech Republic. In addition to the perception of dangers posed by these mammals, the thesis also ascertains knowledge of and attitude towards these selected species. The pupils also expressed their opinions about dog breeds and stated whether they currently had a dog, or had had one in the past, and if so, what kind it was. The study was conducted on the basis of a questionnaire survey. Questionnaires were given out at primary schools in areas, where some of the beasts abide (brown bear, wolf, lynx). The work also contains information about individual mammal species that were studied as well as the introduction of the domestic dog, its domestication and an overview of dog breeds. Key words: bear, wolf, dog, lynx, fox, wild boar, breeds

<p dir="ltr">Boars in the swine industry are one of the select animals subject to limit feeding. Limit feeding boars occurs once boars are selected to enter the boar stud. Before selection boars are <i>ad libitum</i> fed like a nursery or grow finishing pig. Research involving boar nutrition and the impact it has on growth, development, and semen characteristics are limited compared to the rest of the swine industry. The objective of these studies conducted at Purdue University were to determine how varying nutritional feeding strategies impact semen quality and quantity as well as growth and development of artificial insemination boars.</p><p dir="ltr">Feeding fiber is a commonly used strategy in gestating sow nutrition to mitigate some of the negative side effects of limit feeding animals. A variety of fiber sources are available to the swine industry, however most of the common sources used are wheat bran, alfalfa meal, sugar beet pulp, and soybean hulls. Soyhulls are one of the more easily accessible sources of fiber in Indiana and the Midwest U.S. due to large amounts of soybean production and processing which will continue to grow with bi-energy demands. Boars fed the fiber diet (14.3% soyhulls) had increased bodyweight and body condition changes over the twelve-week period. Additionally, fiber inclusion in the diet had no impact on semen characteristics but semen was impacted by the age and breed of the boar. Salivary cortisol levels were reduced in boars fed fiber as well as some changes in behavior were observed.</p><p dir="ltr">The addition of fiber had impacts on growth and development but no impacts on semen. Since boars are limit-fed for so long from selection after the grow-finish period until they are culled this drew up the question if feeding boars different levels after selection (1.8 kg/d or 2.7 kg/d) impacted trainability, first time semen collection characteristics, growth and development of young boars. No differences were observed for feeding level impacting trainability with 92% of all boars regardless of treatment being successfully trained. Semen volume was increased in boars fed 2.72 kg/d by approximately 50% but no other semen characteristics were impacted. Boars fed 2.72 kg/d also had increased bodyweight and body condition score measures.</p><p dir="ltr">The boars subject to the training study unknowingly arrived at the farm naturally infected with porcine circovirus three (PCV3). Research has been conducted on the ability of viruses (PRRSv, PEDv) to be detected and transmitted through semen. Porcine circovirus three is a relatively new variant of circovirus so the opportunity to evaluate the question of if this virus was able to be detected in seminal plasma and the impacts it has on semen characteristics was presented. Serum and semen samples were collected for polymerase chain reaction analysis of detection of PCV3 conducted at Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Porcine circovirus three was able to be detected in the serum of positive boars however no positive detection occurred for seminal plasma samples. Morphological abnormalities such as distal midpiece reflex, distal droplets, and head and tail differed between infected and non-infected boars. Young boars sero-positive for PCV3 had decreased total sperm, total normal sperm motility, and head and tail abnormalities but had decreased distal midpiece reflex abnormalities when compared to PCV3 negative young boars. Young boars were also able to maintain the virus for 98+ days, while some old boars were able to clear the virus withing 14 weeks of becoming positive.</p><p dir="ltr">The next chapter evaluated maintenance energy equation listed in the swine NRC 2012 and if it was still accurate for sexually active boars and if weight management through the use of this equation impacted boar performance. Boars were subject to three treatments (150%, 100%, 80%) of maintenance energy for the first nine-week period and 150% and 80% diets were switched for second nine-week period while 100% stayed the same the entire time in a cross-over design. Semen, bodyweight, and body condition parameters were analyzed throughout the two nine-week periods. Boars fed 80% of maintenance had the largest reduction in semen parameters compared to 150% and 100% maintenance fed boars. Additionally, switching 80% feed intake boars to 150% maintenance feed intake, boars were able to recover some of the negative impacts, however they were not able to fully recover in the second nine-week period. Boars fed 100% and 80% maintenance energy lost weight regardless of age. The loss of body weight of the 100% maintenance fed boars indicates the swine NRC 2012 equation is underestimating the modern AI boar maintenance needs. Old boars were able to handle changes in weight and body condition better than young boars as there was reduced variation in serum metabolites analyzed with old boars compared to young boars.</p><p dir="ltr">The last chapter of this thesis focused on a big data project from commercial sow farms. The objective of this study was to determine if breeding gilts at first signs of estrus or after has an impact on sow performance and economic value to parity three. A regression model was developed from on farm data to determine the difference in total born piglets to parity 3 between gilts bred on their first estrus or after. Gilts bred on their first estrus had six fewer total piglets to parity three compared to gilts who were bred after the first estrus. Also, gilts bred after their first estrus had a larger percentage of sows being profitable compared to gilts bred on first estrus. This model data was compared to actual data for comparison between the two. The model with the limited variables inputted and compared to the actual data was fairly accurate with economic profitability and with more refinement the accuracy can be increased.</p><p dir="ltr">Overall, nutrition of the boar needs to be an area of interest in the swine industry to continue improving efficiency of production. Feeding fiber to boars has minimal impact on semen characteristics but can be used to reduce stress in boars that are limit-fed for weight and body condition management. Limit feeding boars beginning at selection reduces growth and development and had negative impacts on first time semen collection volume. Porcine circovirus 3 was not found in the seminal plasma of naturally infected boars when serum analysis was positive. Boars fed below maintenance levels listed in the swine NRC 2012 have negative impacts on semen, bodyweight, and body condition parameters. Once diets were changed boars were able to recover from the feed restriction but not meet baseline measures prior to feed restriction. Young boars are more sensitive to feeding changes than old boars, this could be due to the young animal still growing while the older animal is closer to mature size. Big data projects can aid producers in making production changes decisions to estimate the economic impact it can have to an individual farm or the entire production system.</p>

Yes / Little research has been done on female board representation in emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs). Our paper considers the role of female board representation and its impact on open innovation (OI) in the unique context of emerging markets. We draw on upper echelons and institutional theories to understand how female board representation and cross-country institutional contexts influence coupled OI. Combining a 10-year (2009-2019) dataset with a rich in-depth content analysis of 183 (EMNEs) engaged in OI, our results reveal a significant positive association between female board representation and a firm’s commitment to coupled OI initiatives. We also find that country-level institutional factors affect and positively moderate the relationship between female board representation and coupled OI. In emerging market environments where managerial perception and cultural beliefs sometimes hinder the promotion of females into top positions, our work has implications for EMNEs regarding how they harness diversity. We contribute to the OI literature by showing that female board representation enhances corporate OI investment within EMNEs.

I april-juli år 2010 undersöktes tre studieområden i mellersta Sverige avseende hur fördelningen av vildsvinsbök såg ut i dessa områden. Resultaten visade att vildsvinsbök främst återfanns i miljöer dominerade av tall-och granskog där åldern på träden låg runt 45-90 år, samt med fältskikt bestående av bärris, mossa eller gräs. På två utav de tre lokalerna påverkades inte arealen på bök av faktorer såsom trädartsammansättning, trädålder eller fältskikt men det fanns däremot korrelationer mellan dessa faktorer på en utav lokalerna. Vidare påverkades arealen på bök inte av populationstäthet eller hur lång tid vildsvin förekommit i området. / In April-July in 2010, three forest dominated areas in central Sweden were studied to investigate wild boar rooting habits. The results showed that rooting mainly occurred in pine-and spruce dominated habitats where tree-ages varied between 45-90 years old and with ground surface vegetation consisting of shrubs (blueberry/lingonberry), mosses and grass. In two of the three study areas the size of rooted areas was not affected by factors such as tree species composition, forest age or vegetation ground cover, but correlations between these factors were found in one of the areas. The size of rooted areas was not affected by the population density or the time with wild boar present in the area.

La maladie de l’œdème est une maladie connue depuis de nombreuses années chez le porc. Les premiers cas recensés dans une population de suidés sauvages sont apparus en 2013 en Ardèche. Un nouveau foyer de cette maladie est ensuite apparu en 2016 dans les Pyrénées-Orientales à la frontière entre la France et l’Espagne. Comprendre les facteurs permettant son apparition ainsi que sa transmission est nécessaire afin d’anticiper de futures mortalités dues à cette maladie. Dans cette thèse, une analyse épidémiologique de cette maladie chez le sanglier a été réalisée. Des clusters de mortalités sont alors apparus et ont permis de mettre en évidence une possible source de contamination unique et récurrente dans le temps. La mise en place d’une nouvelle méthode pour étudier la détectabilité des cadavres de sanglier a souligné la difficulté de retrouver des cadavres de sanglier en forêt. La dernière analyse épidémiologique à partir d’un modèle de type « Spatial point pattern » a mis en avant de possibles facteurs de risque d’apparition et de transmission qui ont ensuite été analysés plus précisément. L’analyse des données issus des tableaux de chasse en Ardèche a été réalisée afin de détecter des variations de la densité et du ratio J/A des populations de sanglier suggérant un stress alimentaire chez le sanglier, un prodrome ou une conséquence de la maladie. Aucun stress alimentaire ne fut détecté lors de cette analyse. Des hypothèses ont pu être émises pour expliquer certaines variations observées : i) la conséquence directe de la maladie, ii) un phénomène environnemental particulier et iii) un évènement pathogénique. La piste de l’événement pathogénique a été approfondie avec la découverte du SDRP (syndrome dysgénésique et respiratoire du porc). Les interactions porcs-sangliers, nombreuses en Ardèche, ont été déterminées comme potentiellement responsables du passage de la bactérie entre le compartiment domestique et sauvage. Une étude génétique a également été effectuée pour investiguer le gène alpha-1-fucosyltransferase associé à la sensibilité du porc à la maladie. Tous les sangliers analysés étaient sensibles à la maladie. D’autres analyses complémentaires sont nécessaires afin de comprendre au mieux cette maladie ainsi que les différents facteurs de risque pour l’apparition mais également la transmission. / Edema disease has been a known disease in pigs for many years. The first cases recorded in a population of wild suids appeared in 2013 in Ardèche. A new outbreak of this disease then emerged in 2016 in the Pyrénées-Orientales on the border between France and Spain. Understanding the factors that enable its onset and transmission is necessary to anticipate future mortality from this disease. In this thesis, an epidemiological analysis of this disease in wild boar was carried out. Clusters of mortalities then emerged, highlighting a possible single and recurrent source of contamination over time. The introduction of a new method to study the detectability of wild boar corpses highlighted the difficulty of finding wild boar corpses in the forest. The latest epidemiological analysis using a Spatial point pattern model highlighted possible risk factors for onset and transmission, which were then analysed more precisely. Analysis of data from hunting tables in the Ardèche was carried out in order to detect variations in the density and J/A ratio of wild boar populations suggesting food stress in the wild boar, a prodrome or consequence of the disease. No dietary stress was detected during this analysis. Assumptions could be made to explain some observed variations: i) the direct consequence of the disease, ii) a particular environmental phenomenon and iii) a pathogenic event. The trail of the pathogenic event was deepened with the discovery of the PRRS (Pork Respiratory and Dygesic Syndrome). The pig-boar interactions, numerous in the Ardeche, were determined as potentially responsible for the passage of the bacteria between the domestic and wild compartment. A genetic study was also conducted to investigate the alpha-1-fucosyltransferase gene associated with the susceptibility of pigs to the disease. All the wild boars tested were susceptible to the disease.Further further analysis is needed in order to better understand this disease as well as the different risk factors for both onset and transmission.

Orientador: Mauro Galetti Rodrigues / Resumo: Invasões biológicas são uma das principais ameaças à biodiversidade, razão pela qual é campo de interesse de investigações científicas dos ecólogos. Os Neotrópicos abrigam uma das maiores riquezas de espécies do planeta e ao longo dos últimos anos vem sofrendo um aumento expressivo no número de introduções de espécies exóticas. Uma delas é o javali Sus scrofa e suas raças cruzadas com porcos domésticos, que em sua forma silvestre e de vida livre chamamos suídeos asselvajados. Ao longo dessa tese procuro investigar algumas das consequências ecológicas da invasão dessa espécie, assim como apresentar um panorama do controle populacional empregado hoje no Brasil, buscando sempre que possível fazer uma discussão dos resultados aplicada ao manejo da espécie. No Capítulo 1 mostro como a introdução acentuada dessa espécie ocorrida nos últimos 20 anos no Brasil fez com que ela se distribuísse amplamente por todo território nacional, principalmente nas regiões Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste. No Capítulo 2 eu procurei fazer uma avaliação da efetividade do papel ecológico de frugivoria e dispersão de sementes prestado por esses animais. O Capítulo 3 mostra como as paisagens agrícolas estão subsidiando a invasão dos suídeos asselvajados potencializando a expansão da espécie e no Capítulo 4 busco revelar o papel do invasor no deslocamento do nicho trófico dos pecarídeos nativos.Já o Capítulo 5 apresenta um breve relato da interação entre os suídeos asselvajados e morcegos vampiros e, ao final... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Biological invasions are one of the main threats to biodiversity, which is why it is a field of interest for scientific investigations by ecologists. The Neotropics are home to one of the planet's greatest species richness, and over the last few years it has been experiencing a significant increase in the number of exotic species introduction. One of them is the wild boar Sus scrofa and their crossed-breeds with domestic pigs, that in its free-living wild-form we call wild pigs. My effort throughout this thesis is to investigate some of the ecological consequences of the invasion of this species, as well as present an outlook of the population control employed in Brazil, always seeking to make a discussion of the results applied to the management of the species. In Chapter 1 I show how the severe introduction of this species that occurred in the last 20 years in Brazil has made it widely distributed throughout the country, especially in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions. In Chapter 2 I evaluated the effectiveness of the ecological role of frugivory and seed dispersal provided by these animals. Chapter 3 shows how agricultural landscapes are subsidizing the invasion of wild pigs enhancing the species' expansion. In Chapter 4 I seek to reveal the role of the invader in displacing the trophic niche of native peccaries and Chapter 5 presents a brief account of the interaction between wild pigs and vampire bats. In the end, Chapter 6 outlines a profile of the methods and mo... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Este trabalho buscou avaliar o comportamento e o desempenho sexual de suínos machos de linhas puras e cruzadas, criados com e sem a utilização de enriquecimento ambiental, na fase de crescimento. A pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas, que compreenderam a fase de crescimento dos animais e o treinamento para coleta de sêmen. Na fase de crescimento, 128 machos foram alojados em ambientes enriquecidos ou estéreis. Utilizou-se como enriquecimento ambiental correntes suspensas, galão de cinco litros suspenso e um galão de 50 litros solto no piso. Esses objetos foram oferecidos de forma alternada e cada um ficou disponível na baia por um período de 30 dias. Na primeira etapa foram registrados o comportamento dos animais, os escores de lesão e a massa corporal. Após a fase de crescimento, foram escolhidos aleatoriamente 32 animais aprovados na seleção genética para serem avaliados durante o treinamento para coleta de sêmen. O treinamento ocorreu durante seis dias consecutivos e cada animal foi treinado por três vezes em dias alternados. Durante o treinamento para a coleta de sêmen, o comportamento animal, as relações humano-animal, o volume do ejaculado e os níveis de testosterona e cortisol foram registrados. Como respostas na fase de crescimento, verificou-se que, mesmo utilizando uma combinação de objetos, os suínos se habituaram rapidamente a eles e a frequência de manipulação diminuiu após o primeiro período para todos os objetos. Observamos que o ambiente enriquecido foi eficaz na redução dos comportamentos agonísticos e mordedura de cauda e orelha para os animais puros e cruzados, e isso consequentemente reduziu a quantidade e severidade de lesões de pele. Na fase de treinamento para coleta de sêmen, os resultados demonstraram que o comportamento sexual dos animais foi influenciado pelas linhas genéticas, sendo assim, observou-se que os machos de linha cruzada tiveram maior facilidade durante o treinamento para coleta de sêmen e apresentaram maior média do escore de libido, diferindo das linhas puras (P<0,001). Verificou-se que não houve diferença na média do escore de libido entre os tratamentos com e sem enriquecimento ambiental (P=0,276), porém, os tratamentos com enriquecimento tiveram o menor número de animais treinados. Dessa forma, os resultados indicam que o ambiente enriquecido com uma combinação de enriquecimentos pontuais (objetos) é uma estratégia eficaz para aumentar o comportamento exploratório e reduzir os comportamentos agonísticos e anormais na fase de crescimento. Mas, por outro lado, os animais criados em ambientes enriquecidos tiveram um pior desempenho sexual durante o treinamento para coleta de sêmen. / This study aimed to evaluate behavior and sexual performance of male pigs from purebred and crossbred, raised with and without the use of environmental enrichment during the growth phase. The study was divided into two steps comprising the animals\' growth phase and training for semen collection. In the growth phase 128 males were housed in an enriched or in a sterile environment. As environmental enrichment, hanging chains, a hanging five-liter gallon and a fifty-liter gallon released on the floor were used. These objects were alternately offered and each one was available in the pen for a period of 30 days. In the first step, animal behavior, injury score and body weight were recorded. After the growth phase, 32 animals approved in genetic screening were randomized to be evaluated during training for semen collection. The training took place for six consecutive days and each animal was trained three times on alternate days. During the training for semen collection, animal behavior, human-animal relationship, ejaculated semen volume, testosterone and cortisol levels were registered. As a response during the growth phase, even using a combination of enrichments, pigs quickly got used to them and manipulation frequency decreased after the first period for all objects. We observed that the enriched environment was effective in reducing agonistic behavior and biting of tail and ear in animals of pure and mixed lines, and therefore the number and severity of skin lesions were reduced. During the training for semen collection, results showed that sexual behavior of animals was influenced by genetic lines, therefore we observed that males of mixed lines had greater ease during training for semen collection and had a higher libido score average, differing from the pure lines (P<0,001). There was no difference in the libido score average between treatments with and without environmental enrichment (P=0,276), however the treatment with environmental enrichment had fewer trained animals. Thus, results indicate that enriched environment with a combination of enrichment objects is an effective strategy to increase exploratory behavior and to reduce agonistic and abnormal behaviors during the growth phase. However, animals raised in enriched environments had a worse sexual performance during the training for semen collection.

<p>U radu je analzirana struktura populacija i stepen genetičke varijabilnosti u<br />populacijama divlje svinje u Evropi.&nbsp; Određena je polimorfnost jedanaest<br />tetranukleotidnih mikrosatelita u uzorku od 664 divljih svinja u Evropi, utvrđivanjem<br />alela prisutnih u populacijama i utvrđivanjem njihove frekvencije. U analiziranom<br />uzorku definisano je prisustvo 13 subpopulacija divljih svinja u Evropi i određeni su<br />osnovni parametri intra-&nbsp; i interpopulacione varijabilnosti. Pokazano je da je&nbsp; protok<br />gena između definisanih subpopulacija relativno mali&nbsp; obzirom da je utvrđen&nbsp; srednji i<br />visok nivo genetičke divergencije između definisanih subpopulacija. Utvrđen je visok<br />nivo genetičkog diverziteta u populacijama divlje svinje Evrope, &scaron;to ukazuje na<br />činjenicu da populacije ove vrste poseduju visok genetički potencijal.&nbsp; Analizom<br />polimorfnosti&nbsp; CR1-mtDNK nađeni su jedinstveni haplotipovi za Balkansko<br />poluostrvo i utvrđena je stuktuiranost populacija divljih svinja na Balkanu.<br />Poređenjem dobijenih sekvenci CR1-mtDNK sa dostupnim sekvencama divljih svinja<br />iz čitavog sveta rasvetljena je demografska i filogeografska istorija vrste&nbsp; <em>Sus scrofa</em>&nbsp; i<br />potvrđeno je važna uloga Balkana u rekolonizaciji Evrope nakon poslednjeg ledenog<br />doba.&nbsp; Pokazano je da su sva tri južna poluostrva Evrope (Balkansko, Iberijsko i<br />Apeninsko) učestvovala&nbsp; u rekolonizaciji Evrope i da se filogeografska&nbsp; istorija&nbsp; vrste<br /><em>Sus scrofa</em> može predstaviti u tri koraka: (1) povlačenje jedinki iz Centralne Evrope u<br />južna poluostrva tokom poslednjeg ledenog doba, (2) nezavisna diverzifikacija u<br />svakom od tri poluostrva, (3) rekolonizacija Evrope od strane haplotipova koji su bili<br />na severu poluostrva (u ekspazivnom frontu).&nbsp; Na osnovu rezultata ovog istraživanja<br />data je preporuka da&nbsp; za svaku definisanu subpopulaciju treba razviti odgovarajuće<br />strategije menadžmenta u skladu sa njenim genetičkim potencijalom, a u cilju<br />očuvanja evolucionog potencijala svake od njih kako bi se obezbedila i očuvala<br />stabilnost vrste.</p> / <p>In this paper an assessment of the wild boar genetic structure and phylogeography was&nbsp;performed&nbsp; based on the analysis of microsatellites and CR-1 region of mitochondrial&nbsp;DNA. Polymorphism of eleven tetranucletide microsatellites was determined in a&nbsp;sample of 664 wild boars in Europe&nbsp; by detection of&nbsp; alleles present in the populations&nbsp;and their frequency. In the analyzed sample of 664 wild boars, 13 genetically different&nbsp;subpopulations were defined and basic parameters of intra-&nbsp; and interpopulation&nbsp;variability were estimated.&nbsp; It was shown that&nbsp; gene flow&nbsp; between&nbsp; defined&nbsp;subpopulations&nbsp; is relatively&nbsp; small&nbsp; since estimated genetic distances between&nbsp;subpopulations indicated a moderate to high genetic differentiation.&nbsp; According to&nbsp;derived data,&nbsp; high genetic diversity is present in wild boar populations in &nbsp;Europe,&nbsp;indicating high genetic potential of the species.&nbsp; In the analysis of mtDNA control&nbsp;region sequences in wild boars from the Balkan peninsula unique haplotypes &nbsp;were&nbsp;found and population structure was observed.&nbsp; A detailed inspection of results reveals&nbsp;that a similar phylogeographic pattern emerges in all&nbsp; southern European peninsulas,&nbsp;arising from post-LGM expansion, and that all three peninsulas had a similar role in&nbsp;the wild boar post-glacial recolonization of Europe.&nbsp; This pattern could be explained&nbsp;by: the southward migration of Central-European haplotypes during the LGM to&nbsp;southern peninsulas; independent diversification in each peninsula; and post-LGM&nbsp;leading edge recolonization of Europe&nbsp; involving all three peninsulas.&nbsp; Based on the&nbsp;results of this research, it was recommended that&nbsp; for each defined subpopulation&nbsp;adequate&nbsp; manegament strategies should be defined and each subpopulation&nbsp; should be&nbsp;managed separately in order to preserve their evolutionary potential and to secure the&nbsp;long-term stability of wild resources.</p>