Small Pig Research Articles

Prevalence and genomic characterization of Salmonella Weltevreden in commercial pig feed

Viet Nam is the world’s fifth largest producer of pork meat. Salmonella is frequently found at farm level; however, risk factors for Salmonella infection in pigs have not been thoroughly investigated in the production system. In the current study, 123 commercial feed samples were obtained from 103 small, medium and large-scale pig farms in Viet Nam and investigated for the presence of Salmonella in 25 g of feed using the ISO 6579:2002/Cor 1:2004 method. Salmonella was detected in five samples (4.1%; 95% CI 1.75–9.16%). All five samples were found to contain S. Weltevreden as the only serovar. The isolates were subjected to phenotypic and whole genome sequencing analysis for further characterization. They all belonged to ST365 and were sensitive to the 14 antimicrobials tested. Four strains were found to belong to the continental lineage of S. Weltevreden, while one isolate was of the island type. This isolate, contrary to the remaining four isolates contained a prophage homolog to the Vibrio prophage X-29. The findings of only S. Weltevreden, which is often isolated from fish and aquatic samples, suggests that fishmeal used in the feed preparation was a likely source of contamination.

A New Viewpoint on Genetic Diversity in Prestice Black-Pied Pig: Did the Breed Suffer from a Bottleneck?

The research was aimed at determination of genetic variability of Prestice Black-Pied (PC) pig breed (Czech national breed and genetic resource) and to evaluate possible presence of recent bottleneck in this closed small pig population. One hundred and eighty of breeding boars were analysed by eleven tetramer Short Tandem Repeats (STR) panel specifically developed for the genotyping of breeding livestock. Despite the fact that appearance of rare alleles, which may be relatively increased after recent bottleneck, was discovered, the heterozygosity excess was not significant. The PC breed has not undergone recent bottleneck and remained at mutation-drift equilibrium.

Bioavailability of dissolved organic matter in biogas slurry enhanced by catalytic ozonation combined with membrane separation.

Large molecular weight pig biogas slurry (L-PBS) and small molecular weight pig biogas slurry (S-PBS) were separated from original pig biogas slurry (O-PBS) using a 100kDa membrane. The original bioavailability and biosafety of L-PBS was very low. In order to enhance the total bioavailable dissolved organic nitrogen (TB-DON) and total bioavailable dissolved organic phosphorus (TB-DOP), optimum catalytic ozonation of L-PBS conditions were determined using Box-behnken design models (P<0.0001) and intersection tests. The optimal values for ozone concentration, pH value, active catalyst concentration and reaction time were 2.63mg·L-1, 6.48, 1.43g·L-1 and 40min, respectively. Catalytic ozonation can effectively decompose and transform 68.07% of L-PBS into S-PBS to improve content organic bioavailability, with a molecular weight distribution of 0-1kDa (13.53%), 1-5kDa (16.62%), 5-10kDa (11.16%), 10-30kDa (11.73%), 30-100kDa (15.04%). Catalytic ozonation of L-PBS can reduce protein levels from 85.28% to 47.18%, but increases the proportion of fulvic and humic components from 10.22% to 32.67% and 4.51%-20.15%, respectively. Because catalytic ozonation changes the internal components and molecular weights of L-PBS, both saw increases in TB-DON and TB-DOP from 3.33% to 41.12% and 2.43%-37.88%, respectively, with a large number of TB-DON and TB-DOP derived from hydrophilic organic components during catalytic ozonation. These important internal mechanisms changed by catalytic ozonation can effectively reduce the ecotoxicity (IR, from 76.5% to 33.1%) and phytotoxicity (GI, enhanced from 35.4% to 70.3%) of L-PBS. Therefore, catalytic ozonation combined with membrane separation is a choice technology in improving the nutrition of biogas slurry and reduce its ecological risk.

Viabilidad económica en construcción e implementación de biodigestores y lagunas de oxidación en la porcicultura

The aim of this study was evaluating the build and implantation costs of biodigester and deep pit recovered by PVC or PEAD geomembrane, to store the swine waste and use it to generate extra revenue for the system. Three swine production scale representatives to São Paulo state (small pig production size: 300 housed sows; medium pig production size: 650 housed sows; large pig production size) was simulated to estimate the waste pig production and biogas as well as electric power. To simulation development, were used scientific literature and cost identification of biodigester and deep pit build items from mesoregion of Campinas, SP. The base attractive rate used was 10% a year and the time frame were 20 years. By the cash flow were determinate the internal rate of return (IRR), net present value, payback and the profitability rate to each situation. The economic analysis of waste management systems demonstrated that deep pit implantation was most cost-effective to small pig production size when compared to biodigester implantation. However, to medium and large pig production size the simulation results showed that biodigester implantation was better due to higher waste production in higher pig production systems. This provided higher fertilizer and biogas production than can be turned in electric power; result in revenue for these production systems. However, if considered the pig manure valuation as equity to commercial fertilizer, until the easiest pig manure storage system become cost-effective due to add its greatness value by your fertilizing potencial.

Precise editing of myostatin signal peptide by CRISPR/Cas9 increases the muscle mass of Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs.

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is a negative regulator of muscle growth and development. Disruption of the MSTN gene in various mammalian species markedly promotes muscle growth. Previous studies have mainly focused on the disruption of the MSTN peptide coding region in pigs but not on the modification of the signal peptide region. In this study, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) system was used to successfully introduce two mutations (PVD20H and GP19del) in the MSTN signal peptide region of the indigenous Chinese pig breed, Liang Guang Small Spotted pig. Both mutations in signal peptide increased the muscle mass without inhibiting the production of mature MSTN peptide in the cells. Histological analysis revealed that the enhanced muscle mass in MSTN+/PVD20H pig was mainly due to an increase in the number of muscle fibers. The expression of MSTN in the longissimus dorsi muscle of MSTN+/PVD20H and MSTNKO/PVD20H pigs was significantly downregulated, whereas that of myogenic regulatory factors, including MyoD, Myogenin, and Myf-5, was significantly upregulated when compared to those in the longissimus dorsi muscle of wild-type pigs. Meanwhile, the mutations also activated the PI3K/Akt pathway. The results of this study indicated that precise editing of the MSTN signal peptide can enhance porcine muscle development without markedly affecting the expression of mature MSTN peptide, which could exert other beneficial biological functions in the edited pigs.

Dynamics of morphometric parameters of α-endocrinocytes of mammal pancreas

In domestic animals in postnatal ontogenesis, statistically significant changes in the number of α-endocrinocytes and the values of their nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio in the endocrine islets of pancreas have been revealed, which reflects the species and age-related dynamic processes of its morphofunctional development in animals. In cattle and small cattle (sheep), pigs, dogs and cats, two critical periods of postnatal development of the pancreas have been identified. The first critical period is observed from the birth to the age of three months. It is associated with an alimentary factor: the transition from a dairy diet to roughage, which leads to a decrease in the values of morphometric indicators of the pancreas and the restructuring of the functional work of the organ as a whole. The second critical period is registered in animals during puberty, that is, at 6 months of age, which is associated with the release of hormonal inducers aimed primarily at the implementation of physiological changes in the body.

PSVII-25 Intra-Farm Variability: Growing pigs have different SID Lys:NE requirements depending on their BW category

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine if pigs with different initial body weight within the same farm batch have different SID Lys:NE requirements. In the trial 1,170 growing crossbred pigs were distributed in 90 pens (13 pigs/pen) and split in three initial BW categories: Large, Medium and Small (32.1 ± 2.8, 27.5 ± 2.3 and 23.4 ± 2.9 kg, respectively). Each pen was randomly assigned by BW to one of the SID Lys:NE levels (3.25, 3.66, 4.07, 4.47 and 4.88 g SID Lys/Mcal NE), with 6 replicates per dietary treatment. All diets were isoenergetic (2460 kcal NE/kg), and CP ranged from 14.50 to 17.50 %. The dietary treatments were fed for 26 days. Statistical analysis to determine the effect of SID Lys:NE was performed using the GLM procedure of SAS with linear and quadratic polynomial contrasts. In addition, broken-line linear models were fit with the NLIN procedure of SAS to determine the break-point to maximize ADG or minimize FCR for all categories together or independently. The ADG break-point for all pigs was determined at 3.89 g SID Lys/Mcal NE. However, when analyzed by categories, the break-point was 3.86, 4.07 and 4.76 g SID Lys/Mcal NE for large, medium and small pigs respectively. The general break-point for FCR was determined at 4.25 g SID Lys/Mcal NE. By BW categories the different break points determined were: 4.27, 4.15 and 4.59 g SID Lys/Mcal NE for large, medium and small pigs, respectively. In conclusion, the estimated requirement to maximize ADG and optimize FCR via broken-line models is higher for small pigs than large or medium. Therefore, pigs within the same farm batch should be differentially fed in relation to the SID Lys:NE ratio.

SVITLANA VOITENKO A SCIENTIFIED SCIENTIST IN ANIMAL SELECTION

The renowned scientist and teacher of the Chief Scientific Officer of the Laboratory of the Animal Genetic Resources Bank of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V.Zubets of National Academy of Agrarian Science Svitlana Voitenko turned 60 on November 12, 2019.&#x0D; Svitlana Voitenko was born on November 12, 1959 in Poltava. She graduated from the 24 th high school and zoo-engineering faculty of the Poltava Agricultural Institute.From 1977 to 2006 she worked at the Institute of Pig Breeding of the UAAS. During 1990–1993 she went to graduate school of the same scientific institution.&#x0D; Since 2006 he has been working as a leading researcher, since 2008 – chief researcher at the gene pool laboratory of the breeds of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of UAAS. In 2008, Svitlana Voitenko was appointed head of the genetic resources sector in the pig breeding of this institution.&#x0D; Since February 2010, Svitlana Voitenko begins her pedagogical activity as the head of the breeding and genetics of agricultural animals department of the Poltava State Agrarian Academy. From September 2019 to the present time he has been working as the Chief Scientific Officer of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS.&#x0D; The degree of Candidate of Agricultural Sciences in the specialty "Breeding and Breeding of Animals" on the basis of the defense (1994) of the dissertation on the topic "Selection and genetic characteristics of pigs of Myrhorod breed and their use in combination with boars of the parental form". The senior scientist was awarded the academic title in 2001. In 2008 she defended her dissertation for a scientific degree on "Methods of improvement of pigs of the Myrhorod breed and preservation of her gene pool". Professor she was awarded the academic title in 2013.&#x0D; Professor S. Voytenko's research is aimed at developing breeding and genetic methods for improving the productivity of farm animals and controlling product quality, as well as maintaining the gene pool of small local pigs of Ukraine.&#x0D; Under the methodological guidance of S. Voitenko new lines and families in the Myrhorod breed were created and tested. She participated in the development of the State Standards of Ukraine.She has published about 250 scientific papers. She is active in inventing activities, has 11 patents and copyright certificates for inventions.&#x0D; Under the methodical guidance of S. Voitenko, 7 PhD theses are defended and another 1 graduate student is being trained.&#x0D; She was awarded with certificates of honor from the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, the Department of Education and Science of the Poltava Regional State Administration.&#x0D; The staff of the Institute sincerely congratulates dear Svitlana and wishes her good health, happiness, inexhaustible energy, relentless movement forward to new achievements and impressions!

Growth-related micromorphological characteristics of the porcine femoral artery.

In cardiovascular research small pigs breeds like Göttingen® minipigs (GM) are established animal models, but systematic data about the micromorphology of the GM vasculature at different ages are scarce. The study was aimed at gaining knowledge about the micromorphology of the femoral artery (FA) from German Landrace pigs (DL) and GM during the period of growth over a body weight range of 10-40 kg. FA samples from DL aged two or three months were compared to GM ones, aged 18 or 40 months using transmitted light microscopy. All FA samples showed typical characteristics of muscular arteries. Growth was associated with increased vessel wall thickness. In the GM this resulted in a slight decrease of the luminal diameter (LD), while in the DL pigs, an increase of the LD and smooth muscle cell content (10%) with decreased elastic fiber content (10%) has been detected. In contrast, within the 22 months lasting growth period of the GM, the tunica media content of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers remained stable. FA maturation strongly depends on the pig breed and age. It can be different from what is described in humans.

Impact of UVC-sustained recirculating air filtration on airborne bacteria and dust in a pig facility.

High amounts of aerial pollutants like dust and microorganisms can pose serious health hazards to animals and humans. The aim of the current study therefore was, to assess the efficiency of UVC irradiation combined to air filtration in reducing airborne microorganisms at laboratory scale. In a second part, a UVC-combined recirculating air filtration module (UVC module) was implemented in a small animal facility in order to assess its improvement of air quality with regard to airborne bacteria and dust. Tests at laboratory scale were performed using aerosols of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. We varied relative humidity (RH) to evaluate its effect on UVC irradiation efficiency. In addition, viability of pathogens inside the filter material was determined over up to six months. UVC-combined air filtration resulted in a more than 99% reduction of viral and bacterial particles. RH had no influence on UVC efficiency. Viability in the filter matter varied depending on the pathogen used and RH with S. aureus and PPV being most resistant. In our small pig facility consisting of two separated barns, weekly air measurements were conducted over a period of 13 weeks (10 piglets) and 16 weeks (11 piglets), respectively. Airborne bacterial numbers were significantly lower in the barn equipped with the UVC module compared to the reference barn. On average a reduction to 37% of reference values could be achieved for bacteria, whereas the amount of total dust was reduced to a much lesser extent (i.e. to 78% of reference values). Measures taken in front of and behind the UVC module revealed a reduction of 99.4% for airborne bacteria and 95.0% for total dust. To conclude, recirculating air filtration combined to UVC provided efficient reduction of pathogens at laboratory and experimental scale. The implementation of such devices might improve the overall environmental quality in animal facilities.

A Rapid and Green Method for the Determination of Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in Swine Wastewater by Fluorescence Spectrophotometry.

A growing concern exists over water contamination by veterinary pharmaceuticals from small pig farms in Yucatan, Mexico, where the anaerobic digesters installed as the wastewater treatment system are not operated properly. Therefore, considerable interest exists to develop analytical methods to detect these compounds and characterize their fate in the environment. In this study, the detection of three antibiotics (enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline and sulfamethoxazole) and a β-agonist (ractopamine) was carried out using fluorescence spectrophotometry, with a semi-quantitative approach and a low environmental impact. Wastewater samples from 10 pig farms were analyzed, detecting concentrations of approximately 0.043μgmL-1 for enrofloxacin, 1.427μgmL-1 for oxytetracycline, and 9.748μgmL-1 for sulfamethoxazole. The detection of these pharmaceuticals in the effluents of treated wastewater from the biodigesters of the pig farms suggests the need to optimize the system and prevent the entry of these compounds into the environment.

18 Does crowding in the nursery affect future sow reproductive performance and longevity in the breeding herd?

Abstract We previously reported that crowding in the nursery decreased growth rate and affected blood chemistry and hematology measures in gilts. In the current experiment, weanling gilts were allowed decreased floor space in the nursery to determine effects of crowding on their future litter sizes and retention as sows. Of 2,537 gilts classified at weaning as large (6.92 kg), medium (4.42 kg), or small (5.60 kg) and reared in nursery pens of 14, 11, or 8 pigs (to allow 0.15, 0.19, or 0.27 m2 floor space/pig, respectively), 1,453 gilts were selected for breeding and distributed among 11 sow farms. As expected, total litter size (12.94, 13.28, and 13.99; SE = 0.13) and born alive (12.21, 12.64, and 13.23; SE = 0.11) increased (P &lt; 0.01) from parity one to three. A tendency (P = 0.08) existed for a quadratic relationship between space and total litter size [13.39, 13.54, and 13.27 (SE = 0.13) for gilts allowed 0.15, 0.19, or 0.27 m2 floor space/pig, respectively]. A linear effect of pig size (P = 0.03) on stillborns was detected (0.64, 0.75, and 0.75, for small, medium, and large, respectively). There was no effect of space on the percentages of gilts completing zero (P = 0.36), one (P = 0.35), two (P = 0.32) or three (P = 0.50) parities. However, the percentage of small gilts completing zero parities was greater (P &lt; 0.01), and the percentage completing one parity was less (P &lt; 0.01) than for large or medium gilts. Abortion rate was greater (P &lt; 0.01) in gilts classified as small (2.51%) or medium (1.36%) compared with large (0.20%). Floor space allowed in the nursery did not remarkably affect litter sizes or retention through three parities in sows. Compared with larger pigs, however, more small pigs entering the breeding herd did not complete a parity and displayed a greater abortion rate.

Effects of N-carbamylglutamate and arginine on steroidogenesis and proliferation of pig granulosa cells in vitro

Results of in vivo studies indicate dietary N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) and arginine (ARG) can enhance reproductive performance in gilts. It was hypothesized that both NCG and ARG will alter hormone-induced estradiol (E2) production by granulosa cells (GC), explaining why these compounds could improve reproductive performance in pigs. The objective of these studies, therefore, was to evaluate the direct effects of NCG and ARG on porcine GC proliferation and steroidogenesis, using an in vitro cell culture system. The GC from small (SM; 1–5 mm) and large (LG; >5 mm) pig follicles were cultured for 2 days in 5% fetal bovine serum and 5% porcine serum-containing medium followed by 2 days in serum-free medium containing 500 ng/mL of testosterone (as an E2 precursor), and NCG or ARG at various doses in the presence of either follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; 30 ng/mL), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1; 30 ng/mL), or both. Numbers of GC were determined at the end of the experiment and concentrations of progesterone (P4) and E2 in culture medium were determined. Results indicated that LG-follicle GC were more responsive to NCG and ARG than SM-follicle GC. Specifically, in LG-follicle GC, NCG inhibited (P < 0.05) basal and FSH-induced P4 and E2 production but stimulated cell numbers; whereas ARG inhibited FSH-induced E2 production and cell numbers. In SM-follicle GC, treatment with NCG and ARG decreased IGF1 plus FSH induced P4 production, but E2 production and cell proliferation were not affected. These studies indicate that NCG and ARG may directly affect follicular function in pigs.

Health related management practices at pig farms of north east India

A survey has been conducted among the pig farmers in rural areas of all north east hill states of India about the management practices they are following for the better income from swine farming. Parameters studied are mainly managemental practices like housing system, feed supplementation, deworming, vaccination and treatment strategies. As per the present study findings, the intensive housing system was followed by 56.22% of farms, 73.09% of animals were supplemented with nutritional supplements with either iron, minerals and vitamins or both Deworming and vaccination practices were followed in 52.61% and 54.22% of the animals, respectively. About 23.69% of the total animals were treated with antibiotics at one or the other time. The findings of the present study stresses the need of improvement in the health related managemental practices which can play a vital role in controlling the disease outbreaks and can improve the economic status of small scale pig farmers.

Growth performance and hematology characteristics in pigs treated with iron at birth and weaning and fed a nursery diet supplemented with a pharmacological level of zinc oxide

Objective: To determine effects of an iron dose at weaning on growth and hematology in pigs fed zinc. Materials and methods: Weaned pigs (n = 144) were allocated to treatments in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (6 pens/treatment, 3 pigs/pen), with factors being pig size (large or small); number of 100 mg iron dextran doses (1 [birth] or 2 [birth and weaning]); and dietary zinc (100 or 2000 ppm). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were determined. Blood samples were collected at weaning and 7 and 49 days post-weaning. Results: Anemia (hemoglobin &lt; 9.0 g/dL) at weaning tended to be greater (P = .07) for large pigs and hemoglobin (P = .02) and hematocrit (P = .05) were greater in small pigs. Hematology was largely unaffected by number of iron doses or diet. Large pigs displayed greater ADG (P &lt; .001) but poorer G:F (P = .002). Zinc-supplemented pigs had greater (P = .002) ADG and G:F from day 0 to 21. From day 22 to 49, G:F (P = .005) was greater for controls. Overall, zinc tended to increase ADFI in large (P = .09) but not small (P = .46) pigs. Growth was largely unaffected by number of iron doses. Implications: Anemia at weaning was common, especially for larger pigs, but was not exacerbated by zinc. An iron dose at weaning had minimal effects on growth. Dietary zinc enhanced growth early post-weaning but effects waned as pigs aged.

Surgical Approaches for Cell Therapeutics Delivery to the Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Retina.

Developing successful surgical strategies to deliver cell therapeutics to the back of the eye is an essential pillar to success for stem cell-based applications in blinding retinal diseases. Within this chapter, we have attempted to gather all key considerations during preclinical animal trials.Guidance is provided for choices on animal models, options for immunosuppression, as well as anesthesia. Subsequently we cover surgical strategies for RPE graft delivery, both as suspension as well as in monolayers in small rodents, rabbits, pigs, and nonhuman primate. A detailed account is given in particular on animal variations in vitrectomy and subretinal surgery, which requires a considerable learning curve, when transiting from human to animal. In turn, however, many essential subretinal implantation techniques in large-eyed animals are directly transferrable to human clinical trial protocols.A dedicated subchapter on photoreceptor replacement provides insights on preparation of suspension as well as sheet grafts, to subsequently outline the basics of subretinal delivery via both the transscleral and transvitreal route. In closing, a future outlook on vision restoration through retinal cell-based therapeutics is presented.

Constraints Analysis of Small Scale Pig Farming in Dhemaji District of Assam

Constraints Analysis of Small Scale Pig Farming in Dhemaji District of Assam

Methanogenesis in animals with foregut and hindgut fermentation: a review

Methane is the main greenhouse-gas contributor to global warming in the livestock sector; it is generated by anaerobic fermentation in the different sections of the gut, and the methane concentration differs significantly among species. Methane is produced only by certain types of microorganisms called methanogens. The species composition of methanogenic archaea population is largely affected by the diet, geographical location, host and the section of the gut. Consequently, methane production, either measured as total grams emitted per day or per bodyweight mass, differs greatly among animal species. The main difference in methanogenic activity among different gut sections and animal species is the substrate fermented and the metabolic pathway to complete anaerobic fermentation of plant material. The three main substrates used by methanogens are CO2, acetate and compounds containing methyl groups. The three dominant orders of methanogens in gut environments are Methanomicrobiales, Methanobacteriales and Methanosarcinales. They normally are present in low numbers (below 3% of total microbiome). The present review will describe the main metabolic pathways and methanogens involved in CH4 production in the gut of different host-animal species, as well as discuss general trends that influence such emissions, such as geographical distribution, feed composition, section of the gut, host age and diurnal and season variation. Finally, the review will describe animal species (large and small domestic ruminants, wild ruminants, camelids, pigs, rabbits, horses, macropods, termites and humans) specificities in the methanogen diversity and their effects on methane emission.

Disruption of the ZBED6 binding site in intron 3 of IGF2 by CRISPR/Cas9 leads to enhanced muscle development in Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) plays an important role in the development of the foetus and in post-natal growth and development. A SNP within intron 3 of porcine IGF2 disrupts a binding site for the repressor, zinc finger BED-type containing 6 (ZBED6), leading to up-regulation of IGF2 in skeletal muscle and major effects on muscle growth, heart size, and fat deposition. This favourable mutation is common in Western commercial pig populations, but is not present in most indigenous Chinese pig breeds. Here, wedescribed the efficient disruption of the ZBED6 binding site motif in intron 3 of IGF2 by CRISPR/Cas9 in porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEFs) from the indigenous Chinese pig breed, Liang Guang Small Spotted pig. Disruption of the binding motif led to a drastic up-regulation of IGF2 expression in PEFs and enhanced myogenic potential and cell proliferation of PEFs. IGF2-edited pigs were then generated using somatic cell nuclear transfer. Enhanced muscle development was evident in one pig with biallelic deletion of the ZBED6 binding site motif, implying that the release of ZBED6 repression has a major effect on porcine muscle development. Our study confirmed the important effect of a mutation in the ZBED6 binding site motif on IGF2 expression and myogenesis, thus providing the basis for breeding a new line of Liang Guang Small Spotted pigs with improved lean meat percentage, a trait of great commercial value to pig producers.

Forensic taphonomy: Vertebrate scavenging in the temperate southwestern Cape, South Africa

Vertebrate scavenging can significantly accelerate the rate of decomposition, which can hinder estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI). Patterns of decomposition and scavenging are highly specific to different environments in a forensic context, with no known data for South Africa. A better understanding of local decomposition patterns, taking scavenging into account, could increase the accuracy of PMI estimation and improve identification of human remains. Using a porcine model in the forensically significant thicketed Cape Flats Dune Strandveld habitat, the effect of vertebrate scavenging on the decomposition process was examined. This part of Cape Town suffers from poor socioeconomic conditions and a high murder rate, which is due in part to the dense population. Human decomposition was simulated using three small (∼20kg) domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcasses, with ethical clearance. One pig served as a control and was caged to prevent vertebrate but not invertebrate access; the other two served as experimental treatments. They were deployed in Delft, Cape Town, and observed by motion-activated, time-lapse remote photography to record scavenger species and activity. A rapid increase in the decomposition rate was observed due to Cape grey mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta) scavenging, with early skeletonisation reached by both experimental pigs by day 14, compared to the control remaining in advanced decomposition after 93 days. Mongoose is the primary scavenger in this habitat, and showed notable patterns of feeding behaviour, exclusively within daylight hours. Scavenging activity was only influenced by rainfall later in the cycle. This research provides knowledge on locally relevant decomposition patterns and highlights the necessity for PMI estimation methods to consider vertebrate scavengers. This may improve human skeletal identification in forensic cases. There is scope for expansion of this study, with an investigation of seasonal effects, the interaction between invertebrate and vertebrate activity, as well as, the effect of clothing on scavenger access.