Ecology, Conservation and Management of Wild Pigs and Peccaries

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Chapter 22: Pygmy hog Porcula salvania (Hodgson, 1847)

prolonged inundation during the monsoon or by periodic burn-

ing; in disturbed areas, they are replaced by fire-climax commu-

nities of greatly reduced diversity that are sustained by regular

burning, grazing pressure, and/or regular harvesting for thatch

for roofing and domestic animal fodder.

There are many species of tall grasses, which dominate in

different situations. The most important of these communi-

ties for pygmy hogs are the grass associations dominated by

Narenga porphyrocoma, Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum spon-

taneum, S. bengalensis, and Themeda villosa, which form char-

acteristic associations of 2–3 m height during secondary stages

of the succession on well-drained ground. Other grasses such as

Setaria pumilla, Desmostachya bipinnata, Vetiveria zizanoides,

Arundinella, and Cymbopogon spp., and shrubs of Blumea,

Osbekia, Sonchus, and Grewia genera, are commonly found

in pygmy hog habitats in Manas; other common genera being

Ve r n o n i a, Pygmaeopremna, Cyperus, and Fimbristylis. Suitable

pygmy hog habitats in Manas have a high diversity of these

grasses, sedges and shrubs and are sparsely scattered with trees

such as Bombax ceiba, Acacia catechu, and Embelica officinalis.

Historically, these grasslands were probably maintained

by changing river courses as well as by grazing and trampling

pressures from large wild herbivores such as rhinos, elephants,

and buffaloes. With extermination or sharp decline in large

wild herbivore populations this control mechanism has become

insignificant. Changes in river courses contribute towards the

emergence of new areas that get colonized by grass and shrubs,

while older grasslands, grassy woodlands or riverine forests are

eroded or submerged. Unfortunately, if the newly emerged areas

fall outside the protected areas they are quickly brought under

human use, thereby preventing colonization by grassland flora

and fauna. Grasslands in low-lying areas are still maintained

Figure 22.3 Pygmy hog at Potasali breeding centre (photo by R. Wirth).
(A black and white version of this figure will appear in some formats. For the colour
version, please refer to the plate section.)

Figure 22.2 Adult individual at

Basistha breeding centre (photo by

R. Wirth).

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