Abstract:

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) population in Beijing Songshan Nature Reserve has shown an increasing trend in distribution and density, implying a potential threat to local wildlife and ecosystems. To investigate the genetic structure and population dynamics of the wild boar population, we conducted genetic analyses on 122 fecal samples by using high-throughput sequencing technology and non-invasive sampling method. The results showed that species and individual identification confirmed 44 unique wild boar samples. Genetic diversity analysis revealed an average of 1505393 SNP loci per sample, with an observed heterozygosity of 0.214, indicating moderate genetic diversity. For genetic diversity and genetic structure analysis for the populations, the results showed that the Songshan population samples were divided into two branches with low to moderate differentiation (F_st=0.059). The inbreeding coefficient (F_is) of branch A was 0.061, while that of branch B was 0.1810, suggesting a certain degree of inbreeding within branch B. Effective population size analysis indicated historical fluctuations in the wild boar population. This study provides the basic genetic data of wild boar in Songshan Reserve, and provides a scientific basis for formulating protection and management strategies and maintaining ecological balance.

Key words: Beijing Songshan Nature Reserve, conservation of genetic resources, genetic diversity, non-invasive sampling, wild boar