Genomic analysis of putative hybrids between Potamochoerus spp. and domestic pigs from sympatric areas in West Africa and Madagascar

Our results revealed the absence of genetic introgression of Potamochoerus spp. in the selected putative hybrids. To further investigate these findings, we expanded our analyses to a global population of Sus scrofa, with the aim of identifying variations in their ancestral origins (Asian or European). These analyses revealed that the suspected hybrids from Madagascar and local DPs are derived from crosses between European and Asian DP populations, with proportions of 34% and 66%, respectively. In contrast, Beninese hybrids derived exclusively from European suids.

This study provides, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive assessment to date of potential hybridization between DP and Potamochoerus spp. in sub-Saharan Africa. The great variability of local DP populations (European and Asian) may explain the presence of unique phenotypes when these distinct lineages are crossed, which may be falsely identified as hybrids between DP and Potamochoerus spp., if based on phenotypic data alone.