ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the concept of naturalization relative to wild pigs in the Western hemisphere, and examine the mechanisms behind this phenomenon. It explores how wild pig niches interact with those of native species, their place in food web dynamics, and their role as ecological engineers. The chapter highlights their cultural significance and how wild pigs have become integrated into modern society, despite the suite of impacts caused by this destructive invasive species. It focuses on the roles wild pigs are playing in native systems and do not address their negative financial, agricultural, or ecological impacts, as these topics are covered extensively in other chapters. Wild pigs have also become naturalized into the food webs as a predator, prey item, and scavenger. Predation and scavenging by pigs could be a stabilizing influence on ecosystems because they increase the connectivity of food webs, even though it may be an additive form of mortality for prey species.