Pigs
(Sus scrofa)
Ever since their domestication about 10000 years ago pigs have played an important role in human civilizations.
Whilst predominantly breed for meat production, they are increasingly kept as pet animals, and have gained the interest of modern human medicine for organ transplantation.
The legend of Circe, the Greek sorceress who changed Odysseus' soldiers into swines bears witness of ancient mythologies which may still account for religious taboos and symbolic meanings associated with pigs today.
A vibrant diversity, indeed, offering a challenge for collaborative research between science and art!
