Boar Research Articles

Wild pigs influence tropical forest soil microbial communities in a forest-agriculture mosaic landscape

Edge effects, the altered abiotic and biotic conditions on the borders of natural areas, have rarely been linked to altered soil biota, which shape ecosystem processes including carbon storage, biogeochemical cycling, and plant performance. Here, we investigated if increased wildlife populations (their increase mediated by foraging in nearby oil palm plantations) affect soil biota when they move between plantations and natural habitats. We used a 22-year fenced exclusion experiment in a primary rain forest in Peninsular Malaysia. We found that the presence of wildlife (mainly native pigs; Sus scrofa) was associated with greater bacterial diversity, an altered bacterial community composition, and indications of a reduced abundance of symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi. There were only minor effects of pigs on soil chemistry or microclimate, so we suggest that changes in soil communities are driven by pigs’ leaf litter removal and alterations to plant composition. Our study highlights that indirect effects from agriculture can be induced by wildlife more than1 km into protected areas and this could have important repercussions for ecosystem processes and plant-soil feedbacks.

Development of a fully automated chemiluminescent immunoassay for the quantitative and qualitative detection of antibodies against African swine fever virus p72.

African swine fever (ASF), caused by ASF virus (ASFV), is a highly infectious and severe hemorrhagic disease of pigs that causes major economic losses. Currently, no commercial vaccine is available and prevention and control of ASF relies mainly on early diagnosis. Here, a novel automated double antigen sandwich chemiluminescent immunoassay (DAgS-aCLIA) was developed to detect antibodies against ASFV p72 (p72-Ab). For this purpose, recombinant p72 trimer was produced, coupled to magnetic particles as carriers and labeled with acridinium ester as a signal trace. Finally, p72-Ab can be sensitively and rapidly measured on an automated chemiluminescent instrument. For quantitative analysis, a calibration curve was established with a laudable linearity range of 0.21 to 212.0 ng/mL (R2 = 0.9910) and a lower detection limit of 0.15 ng/mL. For qualitative analysis, a cut-off value was set at 1.50 ng/mL with a diagnostic sensitivity of 100.00% and specificity of 98.33%. Furthermore, antibody response to an ASF gene-deleted vaccine candidate can be accurately quantified using this DAgS-aCLIA, as evidenced by early seroconversion as early as 7 days post-immunization and high antibody levels. Compared with available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, this DAgS-aCLIA demonstrated a wider linearity range of 4 to 16-fold, and excellent analytical sensitivity and agreement of over 95.60%. In conclusion, our proposed DAgS-aCLIA would be an effective tool to support ASF epidemiological surveillance.IMPORTANCEAfrican swine fever virus (ASFV) is highly contagious in wild boar and domestic pigs. There is currently no vaccine available for ASF, so serological testing is an important diagnostic tool. Traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays provide only qualitative results and are time and resource consuming. This study will develop an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) that can quantitatively and qualitatively detect antibodies to ASFV p72, greatly reducing detection time and labour-intensive operation, and improving detection sensitivity and linearity range. This novel CLIA would serve as a reliable and convenient tool for ASF pandemic surveillance and vaccine development.

Factors Affecting Financial Losses Caused by Wild Boars in Ningxia, China

There is a need to reduce human–wildlife conflicts in the area around Liupanshan Nature Reserve in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. This study investigated the financial losses caused by wild boar and their causes. A questionnaire investigation (n = 135) and a field test were conducted, which included 108 sample lines and 97 infrared cameras. A principal component analysis and generalised linear model was used to analyse the importance of the effect of the factors on wild boar damage. Based on an estimate of 17,049 wild boars in the study area, we found that in the agricultural land owned by the residents, the boar density of each county and distance from the village to the nature reserve were the most significant factors that affected crop damage. Then, financial losses in spring, summer, and autumn had a moderate effect on financial loss, and the crop type had the lowest effect. We recommend reducing the wild boar population by increasing leisure hunting and the number of leopards. Additionally, a focus on farmland protection is a practical way to prevent wild boar invasions. Meanwhile, it is also necessary to conduct long-term monitoring of wild boar population status and manage the relationship between the government, research teams, and local people to more efficiently and comprehensively reduce conflicts between humans and wild boars.

Assessment of the intake of essential elements by consumption of meat and liver from moose (Alces alces) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) inhabiting the north-west of Russia

This study aimed to analyze the concentrations of the essential elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn) in the edible tissues (muscle=meat, liver) of the large game mammals (moose Alces alces L. (n=17) and wild boar Sus scrofa L. (n=46)) and to assess the nutritional values of these food products through the fulfillment of Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for the aforementioned elements. The values of most of the elements measured in the animals' tissues were either comparable to or greater than those observed in domestic animals and the same species from other countries. No significant species-dependent differences were observed in the meat for the studied elements, but the concentrations of Co, Cu, and Mn were higher, and the levels of Fe and Zn were lower in the moose liver compared to the wild boar liver. According to DRVs for adults, the game meat and liver are poor sources of Co, Cu (except liver), Mg, and Mn. However, the consumption of liver from studied species meets the adult requirements for Cu (moose) and Fe (moose and wild boar). Both the meat and liver of game animals may be considered as good sources of Zn.

Weather and hunting efficiency: Unraveling the factors impacting wild boar drive hunting

Weather and hunting efficiency: Unraveling the factors impacting wild boar drive hunting

Sex-Based Differences in Multilocus Heterozygosity in Wild Boar from Spain

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are increasing worldwide, leading to health, economic and conservation issues. Assessing genetic structure and diversity can aid in the effective monitoring and management of wild boar populations. Processes related to sexual selection and behavioral differences between sexes support the importance of considering sex in measuring genetic diversity. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of wild boar in southwestern Spain by comparing multilocus heterozygosity (MLH) in males and females. We collected tissue samples from 142 culled individuals and 146 fetuses during routine hunting activities and used 16 microsatellite markers to quantify MLH. Paternity analyses were conducted to infer the genotypes of reproductive males. Our results indicated that the sampled individuals constituted a unique polygynandrous population without clear genetic structure. We found that males tended to exhibit lower MLH than females, with reproductive males showing significantly lower MLH than females. We discuss the selection and demographic processes that might explain our results. We highlight the importance of sex-balanced culling for population control, as well as the use of sex-balanced samples for monitoring genetic diversities.

Generating wildlife density data across Europe in the framework of the European Observatory of Wildlife (EOW)

Abstract The European Observatory of Wildlife EOW, as part of the ENETWILD project, represents a collaborative network that has been operating since 2021 to develop and implement standardized protocols to obtain harmonized data on distribution and density of target mammal species. In so doing, the EOW aims at contributing to improving the quality of data that are available for wildlife management and risk assessment on a European scale. This report describes the activities carried out during the 2023 EOW campaign, which was joined by a total of 30 organizations who committed to collect data in 44 sites across 22 different countries. We present data on the distribution and density of three species – wild boar (Sus scrofa), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) – obtained by implementing a camera trapping protocol and by fitting the random encounter model (REM) for density estimation. Camera‐trap images were processed using the Agouti platform and some of its tools specifically designed for the management of camera trapping projects. This includes the use of photogrammetry to obtain parameters for the REM directly from the sequences of images. A total of 24 EOW sites were monitored in past years as well, providing multiannual density estimates and population trends and highlighting an improvement in the precision of the estimates, related to the improved study design and protocol implementation. We also describe the activities of the 2024 campaign, carried out as part of ENETWILD 2.0, where big efforts were made to expand the network, focusing on sites at risk of African Swine Fever, with wild boar/pig interactions and containing wetlands, as potential hubs for Avian Influenza. This effort resulted in the engagement of 40 participants monitoring 64 study sites (27 countries), including 28 study sites located either in infected areas or < 100km from the ASF frontline, and 25 sites with wetland habitats. Furthermore, in at least 20 sites pig farming is practised either intensively, extensively or as backyard farming. Finally, synergies were established with other international initiatives related to wildlife monitoring and disease prevention, with the aim of sharing experiences and sustaining a transnational data collection and harmonization.

Challenging boundaries: is cross-protection evaluation necessary for African swine fever vaccine development? A case of oral vaccination in wild boar.

African swine fever (ASF) poses a significant threat to domestic pigs and wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations, with the current epidemiological situation more critical than ever. The disease has spread across five continents, causing devastating losses in the swine industry. Although extensive research efforts are ongoing to develop an effective and safe vaccine, this goal remains difficult to achieve. Among the potential vaccine candidates, live attenuated viruses (LAVs) have emerged as the most promising option due to their ability to provide strong protection against experimental challenges. However, ASF virus (ASFV) is highly diverse, with genetic and phenotypic variations across different isolates, which differ in virulence. This study highlights the limitations of a natural LAV strain (Lv17/WB/Rie1), which showed partial efficacy against a highly virulent and partially heterologous isolate (Arm07; genotype II). However, the LAV's effectiveness was incomplete when tested against a more phylogenetically distant virus (Ken06.Bus; genotype IX). These findings raise concerns about the feasibility of developing a universal vaccine for ASFV in the near future, emphasizing the urgent need to assess the protective scope of LAV candidates across different ASFV isolates to better define their limitations.

Genome sequencing projects reveal new insights into the mammalian Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone II system.

The type II gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH-II) was first discovered in chicken (Gallus gallus) brain and then shown to be present in many vertebrates. Indeed, its structure is conserved unchanged throughout vertebrate evolution from teleost fish through to mammals suggesting a crucial function. Yet the functional significance has been largely unexplored. Studies in comparative endocrinology show that the GnRH-II system is differentially functional in mammalian species. Intact GnRH-II neuropeptide and receptor genes (GnRH2 and GnRH receptor 2 GnRHR2) occur in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus), musk shrews (Suncus murinus) and pigs (Sus scrofa). However, one or other or both of these genes are inactivated in other species, where mutations or remnants affecting GnRH2 neuropeptide and/or type II GnRHR exons are retained in conserved genomic loci. New data from DNA sequencing projects facilitate extensive analysis of species-specific variation in these genes. Here, we describe GnRH2 and GnRHR2 genes spanning a collection of 21 taxonomic orders, encompassing around 140 species from Primates, Scandentia, Eulipotyphla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Perissodactyls, Pholidota, Chiroptera, Afrotheria, Xenarthra and Marsupialia. Intact coding exons for both GnRH2 and GnRHR2 occur in monkeys, tree shrews, shrews, moles, hedgehogs, several rodents (degu, kangaroo-rat, pocket mouse), pig, pecarry and warthog, camels and alpaca, bears, Weddell seal, hyena, elephant, aardvark and marsupials. Inactivating mutations affecting GnRH2 and GnRHR2, some located at conserved sites within exons, occur in species of primates, most rodents, lagomorphs, bovidae, cetaceans, felidae, canidae and other carnivora, pangolins, most bats, armadillo, brushtail and echidna. A functional GnRH-II system appears retained within several taxonomic families of mammals, but intact retention does not extend to whole taxonomic orders. Defining how endogenous GnRH-II neuropeptide operates in different mammals may afford functional insight into its actions in the brain, especially as, unlike the type I GnRH system, it is expressed in the mid brain and not the hypothalamus.

Dietary Niche Variation in an Invasive Omnivore: The Effects of Habitat on Feral Pig Resource Use in Hawai'i.

Invasive omnivores may have profound impacts on ecological communities through diet selection, particularly when their functional roles differ from those in their native range. While the threat of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) to native plant communities in Hawai'i is well known, their trophic dynamics and the drivers of variation in their diet remain understudied. We investigated the feral pig trophic niche on Hawai'i Island using stable isotopes (13C and 15N) and Bayesian mixing models to identify drivers of variation in resource use. We also reconstructed intra-individual variability for six subsampled individuals to understand temporal variation in resource use and individual diet specialization. Our results revealed that feral pigs on Hawai'i Island exhibit a broad trophic niche characterized by diverse diets, with substantial overlap in resource use across districts and habitats. Differences in dietary composition in the transition from forest to open habitat were driven primarily by a decline in invertebrates and an increasing reliance on resources enriched in 15N, which may reflect a shift in protein sources with habitat. Pigs in forested areas exhibited a smaller trophic niche than those in open habitats, largely driven by differences in feeding strategies and resource availability. Diets for subsampled individuals varied little, suggesting feral pig resource-use strategies in Hawai'i tend to be relatively stable through time. Individual niche width was relatively narrow compared to that of feral pigs in Hawai'i at large, indicating the relatively wide feral pig dietary niche is characterized by substantial intraspecific diet specialization, likely as a result of strong intraspecific competition. Understanding the drivers of feral pig resource use offers key information for management strategies aimed at mitigating their ecological impacts in imperiled systems like Hawai'i.

Comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic loci and candidate genes associated with litter traits in purebred Berkshire pigs of Korea.

The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with the total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), and total number of stillbirths (TNS) in Berkshire pigs. This study used a total of 11,228 records and 2,843 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data obtained from Illumina porcine 60 K and 80 K chips. The estimated genomic breeding values (GEBVs) and SNP effects were estimated using weighted single-step genomic BLUP (WssGBLUP). The heritabilities of the TNB, NBA, and TNS were determined using single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP). The heritability estimates were 0.13, 0.12, and 0.015 for TNB, NBA, and TNS, respectively. When comparing the accuracy of breeding value estimates, the results using pedigree-based BLUP (PBLUP) were 0.58, 0.60, and 0.31 for TNB, NBA, and TNS, respectively. In contrast, the accuracy increased to 0.67, 0.66, and 0.42 for TNB, NBA, and TNS, respectively, when using WssGBLUP, specifically in the last three iterations. The results of weighted single-step genome-wide association studies (WssGWAS) showed that the highest variance explained for each trait was predominantly located in the Sus scrofa chromosome 5 (SSC5) region. Specifically, the variance exceeded 4% for TNB, 3% for NBA, and 6% for TNS. Within the SSC5 region (12.26 to 12.76 Mb), which exhibited the highest variance for TNB, 20 SNPs were identified, and five candidate genes were identified: TIMP3, SYN3, FBXO7, BPIFC, and RTCB. The identified SNP markers for TNB, NBA, and TNS were expected to provide valuable information for genetic improvement as an understanding of their expression and genetic architecture in Berkshire pigs. With the accumulation of more phenotype and SNP data in the future, it is anticipated that more effective SNP markers will be identified.

Anthropogenic determinants of species presence in amphibian communities across a regional elevation gradient

AbstractIdentifying and quantifying the main factors that are jeopardizing amphibian communities worldwide is essential for planning effective amphibian conservation. We collected data on the presence/absence of salamanders and newts (Caudata) and frogs and toads (Anura) in >3600 water points from a large region (30,000 km2) in NW Spain during a 10‐year period (2004–2013). We contrasted a large set of hypotheses explaining presence/absence as a function of anthropogenic factors across the regional elevation gradient (1–2036 m). Logistic regression modeling revealed that salamanders and newts were mainly influenced by pollution and by land use changes, and that the effect of these factors changed with elevation. However, frogs and toads were affected by a larger set of factors acting synergistically, although not including land use changes, and their effect operated at all elevation ranges, except in the case of biological factors (invasive species and wild boar abundance) with higher effects at low elevation. Changes in land use was the most common factor at any elevation and included the abandonment of rural areas, which favors shrub and tree encroachment on former open land, and loss of water points. The most resilient species at any elevation were two frogs, Pelophylax perezi and Rana parvipalmata. The least resilient species were two salamanders, Chioglossa lusitanica and Lissotriton helveticus, followed closely by two toads, Alytes obstetricans and Pelobates cultripes. Unoccupied sites had higher frequencies of biological effects and of changes in land use in the first 5 years of study and lower frequencies of direct human influence factors in the second period. Overall, our results showed that the studied amphibian metacommunity was negatively influenced both by direct and indirect anthropogenic factors, but also that many amphibian species were not only capable of occupying sites which had been altered by human action, but were even favored by land uses generating open habitat, a habitat type that is increasingly uncommon in the region, in the entire Iberian Peninsula and in Europe.

Acorn removal and seedling age determine oak (Quercus ilex L. and Q. suber L.) restoration outcome in ungulate-dominated Mediterranean environments

Key messageWe test the potential benefits of planting 2-year vs. 1-year-old seedlings to restore Mediterranean oak-dominated systems. Planting 2-year-old Quercus suber L. seedlings is recommended for improved survival and resilience against wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) and drought in dry sandy soils. The removal of acorns in seedlings did not apparently influence leaf biochemical traits and could reduce wild boar damage, particularly in 1-year-old seedlings.ContextIn the face of anthropogenic global change, Mediterranean oak-dominated ecosystems confront increased biotic (ungulate herbivory) and abiotic (drought) stressors, compromising forest regeneration. Restoration measures are imperative to address this scenario.AimsThis study assesses the impact of different mitigation measures on the survival and biochemical traits of two oak species.MethodsWe planted Quercus ilex L. and Q. suber L. seedlings in Cabañeros and Doñana National Parks (Spain), subjecting them to three treatments: cotyledon/acorn removal, seedling age (1- vs. 2-year-old), and herbivore protection (fenced vs. non-fenced).ResultsWild boar (Sus scrofa L.) damage peaked in winter and early spring, while drought prevailed from late spring to fall. In sandy soils, wild boar uprooted 1-year-old more often than 2-years-old seedlings (40% vs. 18%). One-year-old seedlings without acorns showed higher survival rates against wild boar only in sandy soils. The removal of acorns in seedlings did not influence plant biochemical traits.ConclusionsPlanting 2-year-old seedlings in sandy soils may mitigate wild boar damage and improve drought resilience. Seedling age seems more important than acorn removal against biotic and abiotic stressors although acorn removal could reduce wild boar damage in 1-year-old seedlings. Our results underscore the importance of considering multiple stressors in oak restoration strategies.

PENGGUNAAN PRIMER GEN CYTOCHROME OXIDASE 1 DALAM REAKSI POLYMERASE CHAI REACTION (PCR) UNTUK IDENTIFIKASI KANDUNGAN BABI PADA MAKANAN

Muslims make up the majority of the population in Indonesia so halal food safety is of paramount importance. From a religious and health perspective, adulteration and contamination of Sus scrofa meat is considered a violation of halal norms. Sus scrofa is often used to adulterate beef to take advantage of the physical resemblance and price difference. The need to identify Sus scrofa meat contamination in food products was highlighted in this study. After a successful isolation process, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used to validate the presence of porcine DNA. PCR utilizes primers specifically made to replicate specific DNA sequences associated with pigs. PCR testing provides precise results for pig DNA, ensuring the accuracy of detection of pork contamination in foodstuffs. This research contributes to efforts to maintain halal food safety in Indonesia by emphasizing the important role of PCR in the detection process of Sus scrofa meat.

Benefits and costs of measures to tackle the outbreak of African swine fever in Sweden

A common rule in many countries for mitigating the damage caused by African swine fever (ASF) is to eradicate the virus at the outbreak in order to prevent its dispersal and the associated social costs of depopulating infected domestic pigs. The economic performance of this practice, as measured by five different evaluation criteria (net present value, benefit-cost ratio, rate of return, internal rate of return, and payback time), depends on the type of control cost and the spatial and dynamic allocation of benefits, i.e. avoided losses from infected domestic pig farms. The present paper calculates the direct and indirect costs of immediate control measures during an ASF outbreak in wild boars in Mid Sweden. The direct costs include expenses incurred for surveillance, laboratory tests, depopulation of wild boar etc., while the indirect costs are borne by firms and people in the area in relation to movement restrictions. The calculations showed that the total cost of control measures amounted to 28 million euros, with indirect costs making up 40 % of this figure. The benefits were greatly dependent on the speed of ASF dispersal and assumptions about pig farmers’ investment responses, which implied large variations in each of the five evaluation criteria.

Efficient purification of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products from Sus scrofa lung tissue and synthesis of its binding ligand, glycated bovine serum albumin

A receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has emerged as a crucial player in various pathological conditions due to its involvement in inflammation and cellular dysfunction. Its soluble isoform, sRAGE, has garnered significant attention for its competitive inhibitory effects and potential therapeutic applications. However, obtaining sRAGE with appropriate glycosylation patterns for binding to glycated proteins has been challenging, often requiring costly expression systems. Here, we present a novel approach for producing and purifying sRAGE from Sus scrofa lungs, bypassing the need for expensive expression systems. Previous protocols for sRAGE extraction faced reproducibility issues due to high viscosity and haemoglobin content of the solution. To address this, we developed a method for selective haemoglobin precipitation using a zinc-containing buffer, enabling purification via various chromatographic methods. Through a combination of chromatographic techniques, we obtained sRAGE in suitable purity, identified using HPLC-MS/MS. Additionally, producing glycated proteins for RAGE receptor activation often involved lengthy protocols or inadequate separation from reactants. Thus, we devised a rapid method for producing and purifying pure BSA glycated with ribose, addressing a critical gap in the field. Functional studies, conducted using Native PAGE, demonstrated the capability of purified proteins to bind to each other.

Damage Control Orthopaedics Induced Less Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy than Early Total Care in a Porcine Polytrauma Model

Introduction: Coagulopathic disorders (CDs) complicate treatment in polytraumatised patients. Against this background, operative strategies for fracture management are controversial in this cohort. This study therefore investigated the effects of two established operative concepts, early total care (ETC) and damage control orthopaedics (DCO), on CD in a large-animal polytrauma (PT) model. Methods: Twenty-two animals (Sus scrofa domesticus) sustained PT involving blunt-chest trauma, liver laceration, bilateral femur fracture, and pressure-controlled haemorrhagic shock. After resuscitation, animals were allocated to ETC (n = 8), DCO (n = 8), or served as a non-traumatised control group (CG, n = 6). Animals were ventilated and monitored under ICU standards for 72 h. Blood samples were collected at baseline and post-trauma after 1.5, 2.5, 24, 48, and 72 h. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex concentrations were determined by ELISA. Results: Compared to the CG, ETC and DCO subjects had significantly increased plasma concentrations of PAI-1 after 2.5 h (CG vs. ETC: p = 0.0050, CG vs. DCO: p = 0.0016). Furthermore, the ETC group showed significantly increased plasma PAI-1 concentrations after 24 h compared to the CG and DCO groups (CG vs. ETC: p = 0.0002, DCO vs. ETC: p = 0.0004). During the later clinical course, concentrations of TAT were significantly increased in the ETC group compared to the CG and DCO group after 72 h (CG vs. ETC: p = 0.0290, DCO vs. ETC: p = 0.0322). Conclusion: PT is strongly associated with CD in the early post-traumatic course. In comparison to DCO, ETC appeared to be negatively associated with CD. Future studies must investigate this impact, especially in those patients admitted with trauma-induced coagulopathy, to improve outcomes.

Essential fatty acid content in the ethnozoological products used in the folklore medicines by the Tangkhul tribe of the North East India

Tangkhul tribes are main habitant of the Ukhrul district of Manipur, a north eastern state of India and popular for using the products of animal fauna in the folklore medicines for curing certain human ailments. To our knowledge, no investigation has been done on the essential fatty acids content in the animal products used in the traditional medicines by the Tangkhul tribe of Manipur. The objective of the study is to determine the essential fatty acids concentration in the selected ethnozoological products namely, Periplaneta americana, Upupa epops, Scolopendra gigantea, Pheretima posthuma, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Sus scrofa domesticus, and Tylototriton verrucosus by Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) methods. The result of the study revealed that unsaturated fatty acids are found to be contained generally higher than saturated fatty acids in the seven-ethnozoological products studied. Among the monounsaturated fatty acids, Oleic Acid (7579.19 ± 70.23 mg/100g) is found to be highest in concentration and is recorded in the P. americana. Some of the common essential PUFAs recorded in the samples of the ethnozoological products studied were Linolenic Acid, Linoleic acids, Erucic Acid, Oleic Acid, Elaidic Acid, Palmetoleic Acid, Myristoleic Acid etc. with the highest concentration of linolenic acid (5518.03mg/100g) found in the P. americana. The used of seven ethnozoological products mentioned per se by Tangkhul Tribes of Manipur in their folklore medicines for the treatment of various human ailments may be attributed to the presence of various polyunsaturated fatty acids especially high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, palmetoleic acid, ecosapentanoic acid in them.

New find of Roman military equipment of the period of the Roman–Bosporan war of 45–49 AD from the Eastern Crimea

The Artezian fortified settlement in the Azov Sea coast of Eastern Crimea perished in a strong fire at the beginning of the Roman–Bosporan war in 46/47 AD. In the homogeneous fire layer, along with numerous items of jewellery, silver, bronze and glass vessels, a heavily burned out round bronze plaque, 7.7–7.8 cm in diameter with a hole in the centre was found. The plaque is decorated along the edge with a figural frieze, depicting two pairs of animals opposing each other: ‘dog–bull’, ‘dog–wild boar’. Besides two animals are running after each other: a lion and a roe deer. The decoration of the plaque from Artezian finds parallels among plaques from the military camps along the limes of Lower and Upper Rhine and Danube. Objects similar in shape depicting animals in circular friezes are also known in Dacia and in the South-Western Crimea. The parallels to the images of the plaque and options of interpreting the function of the piece are discussed. The combination of pairs of opposing animals and animals running after each other finds parallels only on the belt plaques from Asciburgium and Magdalensberg. Thus, there are reasons to consider the disc from Artezian as an element of Roman military equipment of the first half of the 1st century AD.

Investigation of bacterial diversity and analysis of pathogenic bacteria in wild boar nasal microbiota

Investigation of bacterial diversity and analysis of pathogenic bacteria in wild boar nasal microbiota