Social organization of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Doñana National Park

Abstract

The cornposition of social groups in the wild boar was observed in Doñana National Park over a one-year cycle. Mean group size was 3.211 0.69 (mean I SE, N = 842) individuals per group, and significant changes were observed throughout the year reaching a maximum during the birth season in spring. Ten types of groups were defined, and among them, those that predorninated throughout the year were the following seven: male groups; rnixed groups with adult animals of both sexes; adults with subadults; adult fernales with subadults; adult females with piglets; fernales with subadults and piglets; rnixed groups of adult animals with piglets. Most groups rnade similar use of the habitats in Doñana, the main exception being family groups without piglets that were found less frequently in the shrubl forest on mobile dunes and more in the ecotone habitats. Contrasting with other ungulates, group size did not appear to be related to the use of different kinds of habitat. The particular period of the biological cycle appears to be the main factor shaping the social organization of wild boar in Doñana.