Diet of feral pig Sus scrofa in the region of Rio Claro, São Paulo

Abstract

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are large mammals, with an omnivorous diet, highly plastic and adaptable, which explains why is the terrestrial vertebrate with the largest range in the world today. In Brazil, feral forms of S. scrofa are present in four of the five political regions of the country. In general, the effect of an invasive species might be inferred through its trophic position in the community, so, understanding the feeding aspects of these animals, as its diet and seasonal patterns of habitat use, might provide essential information, as target-species and sensible habitats, helping to understand how this alien species is interacting with the community and its ecological role in the ecosystem, all essential information to delineate management and control plans. Our study will quantify the diet of S. scrofa in the region of Rio Claro - SP, through analysis of stomach contents previously collected. With the knowledge of the food itens and their weight, volume and frequency, we might help understand how the factors influencing food selection act over other species and its functionalities, as habitat use, dispersion, reproduction and interaction with other species. (AU)