Three-dimensional tooth surface texture analysis on stall-fed and wild boars (Sus scrofa).

Area of Science:

• Archaeology
• Zoology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Distinguishing domesticated pigs (Sus scrofa) from wild boars is challenging due to morphological and genetic similarities.
• Dietary changes during domestication impact animal physiology, potentially leaving detectable traces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if feeding ecological changes during Sus scrofa domestication are detectable through 3D tooth enamel surface texture analysis.
• To establish a method for differentiating wild and domesticated Sus scrofa populations based on dental microwear patterns.

Main Methods:

• Confocal laser microscopy was used to scan the lower tooth enamel surfaces of wild and stall-fed Sus scrofa leucomystax and wild Sus scrofa riukiuanus.
• Three-dimensional surface textures were quantified using the ISO 25178 standard for roughness parameters.
• Statistical analysis identified significant differences in texture parameters between populations.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in height and volume parameters were observed between stall-fed and wild Sus scrofa leucomystax populations.
• Twenty ISO parameters differed significantly between stall-fed and wild S. s. leucomystax, indicating diet's effect on enamel texture.
• Six parameters differed between wild S. s. leucomystax and S. s. riukiuanus, while no parameters differed between stall-fed S. s. leucomystax and wild S. s. riukiuanus.

Conclusions:

• Tooth enamel surface texture, analyzed using ISO 25178 parameters, shows potential for distinguishing feeding ecologies in Sus scrofa.
• The diet of wild S. s. riukiuanus (hard nuts/crops) may create enamel textures similar to stall-fed pigs, necessitating caution in classification.
• Further research with controlled diets is required to confirm if ISO parameters accurately reflect the dietary transitions of Sus domestication.