Stable isotopes in tissues discriminate the diet of free-living wild boar from different areas of Central Italy

The utilization of isotopic signatures in animal tissues provides information about environment and notably on their diet. The stable carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) isotopes ratios in hairs and muscles of animals can be useful for such investigations. For these reasons, in this study the isotopic compositions ?13C and ?15N were analysed on wild boars samples from three different areas within the Lazio Region (Italy). The agricultural habits of these areas imply that in the winter period no crops are available for wild boars that mainly fed on acorns and natural feeds (tubers, earthworms etc.). In addition, the areas were interested by oak masting. One of these areas was characterized by spreading maize during the hunting season to attract the animal. For each area, 10 animals were sampled, balanced for gender, aged between 12 and 24 months.
The area is the main factor able to discriminate the data. In all the tissues, the depletion of ?13C in the area where maize was used was observed if compared to other areas. The inverse trend was observed for ?15N that showed enrichment in the same area. In details, an enrichment of ?13C was observed for all the tissues. The research demonstrates that the isotopic compositions ?13C and ?15N in free-living wild boar tissues are affected by sampling area. According to feeding habits of the species and management regime of the areas, the observed differences of C and N isotopic compositions are based on the specific feeding regime; in particular the use of maize. Furthermore, the research highlights and discuss diversities and relationships among the isotopic compositions ?13C and ?15N in hair, fat and muscles of free-living wild boar.