FERAL PIGS IN THE NORTHERN SOUTH ISLAND, NEW-ZEALAND .2. BREED COMPOSITION OF PRESENT POPULATIONS

Feral pigs in the northern South Island, New Zealand, are derived from 14 breeds originating in Polynesia, Europe, and Asia. Coat-colour patterns and physical characteristics are used to discern the genetic composition of present-day populations. Most breeds can still be traced, though they are usually mixed. Breeds established before 1930 (e.g., Captain Cook, Berkshire, Tamworth, Canterbury grey/blue, and Large White) have had most influence on the characteristics of present-day populations. Pig coat-colours varied significantly among regions, but black was dominant overall (77% of total sample). Locally, black pigs predominate in Nelson-Marlborough and Westland; pigs in North Canterbury are mainly grey/blue, and those about Geraldine are mixed brown/tan, ginger/red, and black. Black pigs tend to be smaller in the east from Marlborough to North Canterbury (showing the influence of Captain Cook pigs) and larger in the west from Nelson to Westland (where domestic breeds predominate). Many traits of the source domestic breeds appear to be untenable in the wild, and have been lost from the feral populations.