A complex network: wild boar, water and biodiversity

The study was conducted in the city of Benevento (Italy), a research site for the Horizon "OneAquaHealth" project (www.oneaquahealth). Camera traps were installed in 18 streams within the urban ecosystem to identify the presence and family structure of wild boars. Images were analyzed from January to July 2023 and resulting allow to identify the presence of wild boar family groups or solitary animals. Number of wild boars counted in the study area show an increasing trend from January to June. From a one health perspective, the study aimed to demonstrate that each wild boar is accompanied by numerous internal and external hosts that it will spread throughout the area and to other living organisms. Based on the literature, the organisms associated with wild boars include ecto and endoparasites, bacteria, and viruses. Currently, 26 ectoparasites (10 types of ticks, 11 types of mosquitoes, 3 types of flies, 1 flea, 1 louse, 1 mite) and 10 endoparasites (1 nematode, 4 trematodes, 2 tapeworms, 3 protozoa) can be described. Potential causative agents of disease in wild boar include 29 bacteria and 6 viruses. No fungal skin infections have been described. Finally, a microbiome analysis indicates the presence of 65 bacteria in the large intestine.