Evaluación de la población de cerdos asilvestrados (Sus scrofa) y su impacto en la Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra La Laguna, Baja California Sur, México

Abstract

ResumenEl cerdo asilvestrado (Sus scrofa) es de las principales especies invasoras con fuertes efectos sobre ecosistemas naturales. Su presencia en la península de Baja California data del siglo XVIII. En este estudio se evalúa la abundancia relativa y distribución en la Reserva de la Biosfera "Sierra La Laguna" (REBISLA); y se presenta un análisis preliminar de su dieta e impacto en suelo y vegetación. Se hicieron entrevistas con rancheros, y se efectuaron 16 recorridos de más de un kilómetro en diferentes tipos de vegetación, tomando registros en 75 puntos. El efecto sobre vegetación y suelo, se evaluó en 40 cuadrantes de 25m 2 en sitios con y sin afectación, y se registraron las plantas perennes; se tomaron muestras de semillas y contenido en el suelo en 60 cuadrados de 1m 2 con y sin rastros de cerdos. Se analizó el contenido estomacal de ocho cerdos. La presencia del cerdo en la REBISLA es común, con un nivel de afectación moderada. La vegetación más afectada es el bosque de pino-encino. La población de cerdos es muy dinámica y depende de factores climáticos como sequías extremas, y el constante ingreso de cerdos que escapan de rancherías; asimismo presenta una gran movilidad en función de la disponibilidad de alimento y agua, por lo que es necesario continuar con estudios multitemporales y multianuales.Palabras claves: cerdos asilvestrados, impacto, Sierra La Laguna, México AbstractThe feral pig (Sus scrofa) is an exotic, invasive species that has major impacts on natural ecosystems. Its presence in the Baja California Peninsula dates from the 18th century. We determined its relative abundance and distribution in the "Sierra La Laguna" Biosphere Reserve" (REBISLA), as well as a preliminary analysis of its diet and impact to the soils and vegetation. We applied interviews to the local residents and realized 16 routes, each a kilometer long in different vegetation types and collected data at 75 points. The impact on the vegetation and soil ground was measured in 40 quadrants (each 25m 2 ), where the impact of feral pigs on perennial plants and the soil surface was recorded. We took samples of the seeds and soil in 60 quadrants (each 1m 2 ), some containing evidence of feral pig and others did not. We analyzed the stomach contents of eight feral pigs. The feral pig in the reserve is common at moderate levels of impact. The most impacted vegetation is the pine-oak forest. The feral pig population is very dynamic, related to climatic factors, such as extreme droughts. Escaped pigs from small, local farms are constantly entering the reserve. One problem in monitoring the impact of feral pigs is their high mobility in their search for food and water. Continue monitoring multi-seasonally and multi-annual is recommended to determine if their presence represents a danger to the vegetation.

Eco-Epidemiological Evidence of the Transmission of Avian and Human Influenza A Viruses in Wild Pigs in Campeche, Mexico

“…These populations have interbred with the European boar in places where the latter was translocated and regarded as an exotic species; thus, the phenotype of these animals is extremely diverse [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Wild pigs live in all continents except for Antarctica, and stable populations are currently found throughout the world [7,11,[16][17][18]. This wide distribution is due to the anthropogenic introduction of domesticated pigs and Eurasian boars as a food source or for sport hunting, respectively [10].…”

Helminths of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Units of Conservation Management and Sustainable Use of Wildlife Installed in the Eastern Economic Region of Mexico

“…In Mexico, feral animals of genus Sus scrofa are considered habitat invaders, and there is a concern about the impact they may have on native plant and animal species. Several studies have been carried out in Mexico to determine the population size and the distribution of the feral pig in the country [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Feral pigs can be distributed in areas with natural vegetation and in deforested areas such as crops and induced grasslands [ 24 ]; however, in Mexico, studies on the parasitic fauna of wild boars and feral pigs are still insufficient.…”

Feral Animal Populations: Separating Threats from Opportunities

“…Another example is the case of feral goats on many islands, including biodiversity sanctuaries, such as the Galapagos Islands [12]. Feral pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) also create conservation problems around the world, with conspicuous examples in the New World [25,26]. Another textbook example of a species becoming a pest is the feral rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), the only rabbit species that has been domesticated so far [27] and that has been purposely introduced in different parts of the world or has escaped from farms and homes [28].…”