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El Bizri HR, Oliveira MA, Rampini AP, Knoop S, Fa JE, Coad L, Morcatty TQ, Massocato GF, Desbiez ALJ, Campos-Silva JV, La Laina DZ, Duarte JMB, Barboza RSL, Campos Z, da Silva MB, Mângia S, Ingram DJ, Bogoni JA. Exposing illegal hunting and wildlife depletion in the world's largest tropical country through social media data. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14334. [PMID: 39248774 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Globally, illegal sport hunting can threaten prey populations when unregulated. Due to its covert nature, illegal sport hunting poses challenges for data collection, hindering efforts to understand the full extent of its impacts. We gathered social media data to analyze patterns of illegal sport hunting and wildlife depletion across Brazil. We collected data for 2 years (2018-2020) across 5 Facebook groups containing posts depicting pictures of illegal sport hunting events of native fauna. We described and mapped these hunting events by detailing the number of hunters involved, the number of species, the mean body mass of individuals, and the number and biomass of individuals hunted per unit area, stratified by Brazilian biome. We also examined the effects of defaunation on hunting yield and composition via regression models, rank-abundance curves, and spatial interpolation. We detected 2046 illegal sport hunting posts portraying the hunting of 4658 animals (∼29 t of undressed meat) across all 27 states and 6 natural biomes of Brazil. Of 157 native species targeted by hunters, 19 are currently threatened with extinction. We estimated that 1414 hunters extracted 3251 kg/million km2. Some areas exhibited more pronounced wildlife depletion, in particular the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes. In these areas, there was a shift from large mammals and reptiles to small birds as the main targeted taxa, and biomass extracted per hunting event and mean body mass across all taxonomic groups were lower than in other areas. Our results highlight that illegal sport hunting adds to the pressures of subsistence hunting and the wild meat trade on Brazil's wildlife populations. Enhanced surveillance efforts are needed to reduce illegal sport hunting levels and to develop well-managed sustainable sport hunting programs. These can support wildlife conservation and offer incentives for local communities to oversee designated sport hunting areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hani R El Bizri
- Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
- Research Group on Terrestrial Vertebrate Ecology, Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute, Tefé, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisa em Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna da Amazônia (RedeFauna), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Marcela A Oliveira
- Rede de Pesquisa em Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna da Amazônia (RedeFauna), Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação e Uso de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Aline Pessutti Rampini
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Julia E Fa
- Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Lauren Coad
- Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thais Queiroz Morcatty
- Research Group on Terrestrial Vertebrate Ecology, Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute, Tefé, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisa em Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna da Amazônia (RedeFauna), Manaus, Brazil
- Department of Geography, University College London, London, UK
- Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Gabriel Favero Massocato
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres-ICAS, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas, USA
- Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), Nazaré Paulista, Brazil
| | - Arnaud L J Desbiez
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres-ICAS, Campo Grande, Brazil
- RZSS - The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - João Vitor Campos-Silva
- Rede de Pesquisa em Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna da Amazônia (RedeFauna), Manaus, Brazil
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Instituto Juruá, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - José Maurício Barbanti Duarte
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Conservação de Cervídeos (NUPECCE), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Rafael Sá Leitão Barboza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade - PPGBio. Laboratório de Etologia Teórica e Aplicada - LETA, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Anfíbios e Répteis - LIAR, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Zilca Campos
- Laboratório de Vida Selvagem, Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, Brazil
| | | | - Sarah Mângia
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Daniel J Ingram
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Juliano A Bogoni
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (ESALQ), Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Laboratório de Ecologia, Manejo e Conservação de Fauna Silvestre (LEMaC), Piracicaba, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Cáceres, Brazil
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Ojeda-Linares C, Casas A, González-Rivadeneira T, Nabhan GP. The dawn of ethnomicrobiology: an interdisciplinary research field on interactions between humans and microorganisms. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2024; 20:86. [PMID: 39285478 PMCID: PMC11406881 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-024-00725-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnobiologists commonly analyze local knowledge systems related to plants, animals, fungi, and ecosystems. However, microbes (bacteria, yeasts, molds, viruses, and other organisms), often considered invisible in their interactions with humans, are often neglected. Microorganisms were the earliest life forms on Earth, and humans have interacted with them throughout history. Over time, humans have accumulated ecological knowledge about microbes through attributes such as smell, taste, and texture that guide the management of contexts in which microorganisms evolve. These human-microbe interactions are, in fact, expressions of biocultural diversity. Thus, we propose that ethnomicrobiology is a distinct interdisciplinary field within ethnobiology that examines the management practices and knowledge surrounding human-microbe interactions, along with the theoretical contributions that such an approach can offer. METHODS We reviewed scientific journals, books, and chapters exploring human-microbe relationships. Our search included databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and specific journal websites, using keywords related to ethnomicrobiology and ethnozymology. To categorize activities involving deliberate human-microbial interactions, we examined topics such as fermentation, pickling, food preservation, silaging, tanning, drying, salting, smoking, traditional medicine, folk medicine, agricultural practices, composting, and other related practices. RESULTS Our research identified important precedents for ethnomicrobiology through practical and theoretical insights into human-microbe interactions, particularly in their impact on health, soil, and food systems. We also found that these interactions contribute to biodiversity conservation and co-evolutionary processes. This emerging interdisciplinary field has implications for food ecology, public health, and the biocultural conservation of hidden microbial landscapes and communities. It is essential to explore the socioecological implications of the interwoven relationships between microbial communities and humans. Equally important is the promotion of the conservation and recovery of this vast biocultural diversity, along with sustainable management practices informed by local ecological knowledge. CONCLUSION Recognizing the dawn of ethnomicrobiology is essential as the field evolves from a descriptive to a more theoretical and integrative biological approach. We emphasize the critical role that traditional communities have played in conserving food, agriculture, and health systems. This emerging field highlights that the future of ethnobiological sciences will focus not on individual organisms or cultures, but on the symbiosis between microorganisms and humans that has shaped invisible but often complex biocultural landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Ojeda-Linares
- Jardín Botánico, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico.
- Estancias Posdoctorales Por México, CONAHCyT, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Alejandro Casas
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Genetic Resources Lab, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Morelia, Morelia, Mexico.
| | | | - Gary P Nabhan
- The Southwest Center, Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Aragão Silva JA, Dos Santos Soares LM, Ferreira FS, da Silva AB, Souto WMS. Use of wild vertebrates for consumption and bushmeat trade in Brazil: a review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2023; 19:64. [PMID: 38111028 PMCID: PMC10729539 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bushmeat is a resource exploited by thousands of people around the world, especially in tropical and neotropical regions, constituting an important source of protein and income. But what is known, so far, about the consumption and trade of wild vertebrate meat (hereinafter "bushmeat") in a megadiverse country like Brazil? This question was answered through a systematic survey of publications on the consumption and trade of wild vertebrate meat made in Brazil between 2011 and 2021. METHODS We selected 63 scientific articles available on "Google Scholar," "Science Direct," "Scopus," " Web of Science" and "Portal de Periódico da CAPES." The articles were categorized as: exclusive to (1) consumption or (2) bushmeat trade, totals of 54 and three articles, respectively; both (3) consumption and trade bushmeat, totaling six articles. We applied a nonparametric Spearman's correlation analysis to verify the association between the number of papers and the species richness of wild vertebrates cited for consumption by Brazilian state. RESULTS The results revealed that the publications were concentrated in the Northeast (36), North (26) and Southeast (1) regions, distributed across 16 states of the federation. These data reinforce the need for more researches in states and other regions of the country. Our research hypothesis was confirmed, since the richness of species cited for meat consumption was positively associated with the amount of work carried out by the states of the federation. We identified a total of 321 species of wild vertebrates mentioned in the categories involving the consumption of bushmeat. We had a greater bird species richness mentioned for consumption (170) to the detriment of mammals (107), reptiles (40) and amphibians (4). Furthermore, in the articles involving the bushmeat trade categories we had 57 species of vertebrates mentioned, with mammals being the most representative in terms of species richness (29), to the detriment of birds (20) and reptiles (8). These data reinforce that birds and mammals have been the groups most used both for consumption and trade in bushmeat in the country's regions, and it is necessary to mitigate the hunting exploitation of these groups. We recorded that socioeconomic, biological, environmental and sociocultural factors were the most cited predictors of the consumption and trade of bushmeat in the articles. We identified that the bushmeat trade chain is dynamic and ramified, made up of several actors, including specialized and diversified hunters, intermediaries, market sellers, market vendors, restaurant owners and final customers. Public markets and open-air fairs were the most cited places for buying and selling wild meat in commerce. CONCLUSIONS In general, our results indicate that we have made significant advances in publications on the consumption and trade of bushmeat in Brazil over the last few years. However, we highlight the need to better understand the patterns of consumption and trade of bushmeat in different regions of the country, as well as the factors associated with the dynamics of the trade chain and uses of wildlife by local communities. We emphasized that a multidimensional understanding of hunting activities is important to face socio-ecological problems and improve the conservation of target species which have continually been explored for uses by populations in different regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Augusto Aragão Silva
- Development and Environment Graduated Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Piauí, CEP: 64049-550, Brazil.
| | | | - Felipe Silva Ferreira
- Graduated Program in Health and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Vale de São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, PE, CEP: 56304-917, Brazil
| | - André Bastos da Silva
- Development and Environment Graduated Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Piauí, CEP: 64049-550, Brazil
- State University of Maranhão (UEMA), Coelho Neto, MA, CEP: 65620-000, Brazil
| | - Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto
- Development and Environment Graduated Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Piauí, CEP: 64049-550, Brazil
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Landim AS, de Menezes Souza J, Dos Santos LB, de Freitas Lins-Neto EM, da Silva DT, Ferreira FS. Food taboos and animal conservation: a systematic review on how cultural expressions influence interaction with wildlife species. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2023; 19:31. [PMID: 37454092 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00600-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human societies have food taboos as social rules that restrict access to a particular animal. Taboos are pointed out as tools for the conservation of animals, considering that the presence of this social rule prevents the consumption of animals. This work consists of a systematic review that aimed to verify how food taboos vary between different animal species, and how this relationship has influenced their conservation. METHODS For this systematic review, the search for articles by keywords took place in the databases "Science Direct," Scopus," "SciELo" and "Web of Science," associating the term "taboo" with the taxa "amphibians," "birds," "mammals," "fish" and "reptiles." From this search, 3959 titles were found related to the key terms of the research. After the entire screening process carried out by paired reviewers, only 25 articles were included in the search. RESULTS It was identified that 100 species of animals are related to some type of taboo, and segmental taboos and specific taboos were predominant, with 93 and 31 citations, respectively. In addition, the taxon with the most taboos recorded was fish, followed by mammals. Our findings indicate that the taboo protects 99% of the animal species mentioned, being a crucial tool for the conservation of these species. CONCLUSIONS The present study covered the status of current knowledge about food taboos associated with wildlife in the world. It is noticeable that taboos have a considerable effect on animal conservation, as the social restrictions imposed by taboos effectively contribute to the local conservation of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Santos Landim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jeferson de Menezes Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Lucrécia Braz Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ernani Machado de Freitas Lins-Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Núcleo de Estudos de Conservação da Caatinga (NECC)/Colegiado de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Humana e Gestão Socioambiental, Universidade Do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Daniel Tenório da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Felipe Silva Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil.
- Núcleo de Estudos de Conservação da Caatinga (NECC)/Colegiado de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil.
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Wendimu A, Tekalign W. An ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal animals and their products from Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. Heliyon 2022; 9:e12733. [PMID: 36685471 PMCID: PMC9849993 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ethiopia has a diverse set of floral and faunal resources that are used for primary health care in traditional or indigenous medicine. However, because they are passed down orally from one generation to the next, this indigenous medical practice is being ignored and is continuing to disappear. As a result, the goal of this ethnozoological study was to assess and document traditional healers' and indigenous people's knowledge in use of animal parts or products for medical purposes in the Diguna Fango District of Wolaita, Ethiopia. Materials and methods From March 2021 to June 2021, a field survey was conducted using personal interviews, semistructured questionnaires, and open group discussions utilizing a cross-sectional study approach. Totally, two hundred informants (125 men and 75 women) were provided information on the medicinal uses of various animals. Using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, the collected ethnozoological data were analyzed. The informant consensus factor, use value, and degree of fidelity were all determined. Results More than 50 different human ailments were treated using 39 different animal parts or products. Mammals had the highest use rate (N = 26, 66.67%). In the category of treating endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional diseases, Hystrix cristata had a high-fidelity level (FL = 95%). The highest use value (a maximum of 1.0) was for Bos taurus. The disease categories with the highest informant consensus factor (ICF) values were human immune deficiency disease, reproductive health, and genito-urinary ailment categories (ICF = 1.00). Wild animals (74%) outnumbered domestic animals (26%). The most common administration route (50%) was oral, and raw remedies had the highest use reports (58.9%). Conclusions The findings revealed that the study area contains a wealth of ethnozoological knowledge that could be useful in the formulation of novel drugs. The findings of the study should therefore be put to use in prospective ethnozoological, ethnopharmacological, and conservation-related studies in the region.
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Dai C. Incorporating local stakeholders' voices and knowledge into conservation decisions: a case study on the Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus Linnaeus, 1758) in Taijiang, Guizhou, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:63. [PMID: 36242091 PMCID: PMC9568905 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00559-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus Linnaeus, 1758) is a widely distributed species and has long been kept as a pet, especially by the ethnic communities in Southwest China. According to conservation experts' suggestions, it has been designated as a second-level national key protected species in February, 2021 to protect this bird, indicating that keeping it at home is no longer permitted in China. However, a key factor to ensure effectiveness and success of conservation initiatives is local stakeholders' acceptance and support. METHODS Interviews and focus group discussions were used to document the policy outcomes and the views of 108 local bird-keepers in a county in Guizhou province. RESULTS Despite awareness about the illegality of the practice, the bird was still commonly caged both in rural and urban regions. To justify their unwillingness to stop keeping these birds, the interviewees presented many arguments, such as benefits for the community members' health, cultural heritage and contributions to local livelihoods. Fewer than 30% of the bird-keepers believed that the practice of self-keeping has reduced the wild population. Most argued the decline was mainly generated by the harvesting and keepers with monetary interests. They suggested enforcement should target those people and bird markets, as well as the harvesting methods. They also recommended restricting the number of birds allowed to be kept by one keeper, establishing protected areas and a harvesting ban period. The study participants demonstrated considerable local ecological knowledge about approaches for managing the species' use. CONCLUSIONS Due to the benefits for the people and the bird's large distribution, I argued that a conservation goal to lower the harvesting and keeping rates would be more appropriate than a strict ban on keeping them. Such a policy would be more feasible and culturally acceptable because it is built on keepers' support and suggestions. It is necessary to monitor the effects of bird keeping on the wild population. Overall, this qualitative study demonstrated the advantage of factoring in local voices in conservation decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanyin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 1 Yanzhong Road, Guilin, 541006, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, China.
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Adil S, Altaf M, Hussain T, Umair M, Ni J, Abbasi AM, Bussmann RW, Ashraf S. Cultural and Medicinal Use of Amphibians and Reptiles by Indigenous People in Punjab, Pakistan with Comments on Conservation Implications for Herpetofauna. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162062. [PMID: 36009651 PMCID: PMC9405124 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Humans have interacted with reptile and amphibian species for millennia. The current study was designed to collect knowledge about the use of amphibian and reptile species by the native peoples residing along the Jhelum and Chenab rivers in Punjab, Pakistan. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative assessment of the cultural uses of amphibian and reptile species in the study area. However, hunting, trade, and cultural use are the greatest threats to the diversity of the amphibians and reptiles in the studied area. These threats can potentially lead to their extinction. It is important to protect the highly endangered and vulnerable species employed in therapeutic medications, more specifically in terms of their conservation. Abstract Amphibians and reptiles have interacted with humans for millennia. However, humans interact with amphibian and reptile species in different manners, which depend on their culture and traditions. This study was designed to better understand the interactions between amphibian and reptile species and their usage among the native peoples in the vicinity of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, Pakistan. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, and was analyzed by using different indices, including the frequency of citation, corrected fidelity level, fidelity level, relative importance level, and informant major ailment. Two amphibians and twenty-six reptile species were used in therapeutic medicine in the study area. Based on the cultural analysis, we found that Naja naja (black cobra) was highly cited across all cultural groups. A 100% Fidelity Level was calculated for the following species: Naja naja (eye infection), Varanus bengalensis (joint pain), Eurylepis taeniolatus (cataract), and Acanthodactylus cantoris (cancer). We found five endangered species in the study area, i.e., Aspideretes gangeticus, A. hurum, Chitra indica, Varanus flavescens, and Geoclemys hamiltonii, that were used to cure joint pain, muscle stretching and pain, backbone pain, paralysis, and psoriasis, respectively. Likewise, Lissemys punctata andersoni, a vulnerable species as labelled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was extensively used for the treatment of joint pain, body pain, paralysis, and arthritis in the study area. In terms of conservation, it is critical to protect the highly vulnerable and endangered species that are being used in therapeutic medicines. Our findings may be helpful for the conservation of amphibian and reptile species by helping to make an effective plan to prevent their extinction. The main threats to the diversity of amphibian and reptile species in the area are hunting, trading, and cultural use. These threats could potentially lead to the extinction of these species. Therefore, with the involvement of concerned authorities, e.g., local stakeholders, the Ministry of Climate Change, provincial wildlife departments, academia, and conservation managers, immediate conservation measures should be taken for the protection and sustainable utilization of medicinal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Adil
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
- Department of Zoology, Sargodha Campus, University of Lahore, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Altaf
- Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Hussain
- Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umair
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Jian Ni
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
- Department of Environment Sciences, Abbottabad Campus, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
| | - Rainer W. Bussmann
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia
| | - Sana Ashraf
- Department of Zoology, Sargodha Campus, University of Lahore, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
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Souza JDM, Lins Neto EMF, Ferreira FS. Influence of the sociodemographic profile of hunters on the knowledge and use of faunistic resources. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:38. [PMID: 35570319 PMCID: PMC9107591 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00538-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hunting wild animals is essential for nutrition, clothing, predator control and disease treatment. As part of a system based on food choices and uses, it is influenced by ecological, economic and sociocultural patterns. In this context, the aim is to identify the game fauna of interest in the Brazilian semiarid region; indicate the methods, uses, patterns of choices and cultural importance of the fauna and identify which sociodemographic variables influence the knowledge and use of faunal resources. METHODS Information on hunting and fauna use was obtained through semi-structured interviews, complemented with free interviews and informal conversations. The cultural importance of the species was calculated through the current use value. The generalized linear model was created to verify whether the sociodemographic profile of hunters influences the knowledge and use of game species. RESULTS The results showed a representativeness of 56 species. The group of birds was the most representative in terms of taxonomic richness (48.2%), followed by the group of mammals (26.8%), reptiles (21.4%) and amphibians (3.6%). The animals mentioned are used for food, trade, control hunting (slaughter of animals considered invaders of property or harmful to humans), pets, zootherapy and ornamentation. Sociodemographic variables shaped the knowledge of faunal resources, in which the age of hunters showed a negative correlation with the number of known species. CONCLUSIONS The meaning and forms of use attributed to each species depend on ecological, economic and sociocultural factors, which dictate the relationship between human communities and natural resources. Socioeconomic variables shape hunting patterns in all its aspects, whether in perception that hunters have of the resources, forms of use and utilization of hunting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeferson de M Souza
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, UEFS, Feira de Santana-BA, Brazil.
| | - Ernani M F Lins Neto
- Núcleo de Estudos de Conservação da Caatinga (NECC)/Colegiado de Ecologia, UNIVASF, Senhor do Bonfim-BA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, UNIVASF, Petrolina-PE, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia Humana e Gestão Socioambiental, UNEB, Juazeiro-BA, Brazil
| | - Felipe S Ferreira
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, UEFS, Feira de Santana-BA, Brazil
- Núcleo de Estudos de Conservação da Caatinga (NECC)/Colegiado de Ecologia, UNIVASF, Senhor do Bonfim-BA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, UNIVASF, Petrolina-PE, Brazil
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Tobes I, Carrillo-Moreno C, Guarderas-Flores L, Jácome-Negrete I, Velázquez-Cárdenas Y. Ethnoichthyology and Ethnotaxonomy of the Kichwa Indigenous People of Arawanu (Arajuno), in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.826781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Amazon Basin is home to a great number of Indigenous nationalities that have coevolved with aquatic habitats and fish resulting in a precise traditional ecological knowledge. Nevertheless, this biocultural heritage is threatened by the degradation of rivers and fisheries, and cultural erosion. This research was designed and carried out in the community of Arawanu (Arajuno in Spanish), in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and was requested by the local Kichwa people looking for guidance to gather, systematize and disseminate their ethnoichthyological knowledge. Data collection was carried out through participatory workshops using the pile sorting technique in group dynamics, to identify, name and classify local fish and compile biocultural information about them. From the Linnaean taxonomic perspective, 86 taxa were identified, included in 26 families, and corresponded with 16 Kichwa ethnofamilies and 58 ethnospecies. Five classification levels were identified: (I) Aycha: unique beginner–Animalia kingdom; (II) Yaku Aycha: life form–Pisces superclass; (III) Ayllukuna: ethnofamilies–Linnaean families; (IV) Ethnogenera–Linnaean genus; and (V) Ethnospecies–Linnaean species. A one-to-one correspondence was registered between 35 Kichwa ethnospecies and Linnean species, along with one case of over-differentiation and 21 cases of subdifferentiation (Type A: 7; Type B: 14). The Kichwa ethnoichthyological classification is multidimensional and considers attributes like skin and scales, fishbones and spines, meat quality, body shape, diet, and salience. Of the 58 ethnospecies, 38 were valued for consumption, while medicinal and spiritual uses were mentioned for 40 of them. The participatory work created a forum to discuss the value and threats to ichthyofauna and freshwater systems, enabled the dissemination of their biocultural heritage, and highlighted the cultural relevance of hydro-social ecosystems in their livelihood. The collected information may be critical to adapt local education systems to the Kichwa worldview and to pass down traditional ecological knowledge to future generations, fostering a respectful, careful and conscious relationship between humans and nature. Our results offer a solid and novel information compilation and practical guidance for participatory ethnobiological surveys. Additionally, the ethnobiological and the ethnotaxonomical information establishes the basis to develop sustainable fishing strategies and promote conservation of the local ichthyofauna.
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Neto AIS, Fraga RE, Schiavetti A. Tradition and trade: culture and exploitation of avian fauna by a rural community surrounding protected areas in the south of Bahia's State, Northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:12. [PMID: 35260180 PMCID: PMC8905738 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00515-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Illegal capture and trade of wild birds are some of the most present types of wildlife trade in Brazil, and are often associated with cultural and socioenvironmental aspects. Those habits are particularly present in rural communities, where bird trade can be a source of income in dire economic situations and bird-keeping is a cultural trait passed down from generations. METHODS We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with bird-keepers and traders within the surrounding region of the Parque Nacional de Boa Nova, inquiring about local customs and practices related to bird-keeping, bird trade and bird capture, as well as how these were affected by the establishment of protected areas nearby. We then outlined the main trends and perceptions in a quantitative and a qualitative approach. RESULTS A total of 21 avian species were mentioned as being used as pets and in commercialization, contests and breeding, most of them occurring naturally in the region. Most respondents were men possessing low levels of education and income. We observed a series of specialized practices regarding bird-keeping, from basic maintenance of captive individuals in order to ensure the animal's health, to interspecies breeding as to produce hybrid individuals. Mentioned methods used to capture wild birds often involved specialized traps and were conducted mainly within the national park's area. Bird trade was said to occur mostly in urban settlements, and the value of captive birds was said to vary, based on species and beforehand training. The official establishment of the protected area impaired all practices related to bird-keeping and trade, mostly as a result of increased surveillance by environmental agencies. CONCLUSION The collected information presents a series of specialized habits and practices involved in bird-keeping, bird capture and bird trade, many of them being associated with the local avifauna surrounding the region. The establishment of protected areas affected local perceptions regarding bird-keeping and related practices mostly through fear of penalty, although individuals demonstrated some knowledge about how to evade surveillance. We recommend further studies about effective ways to integrate local communities in nearby protected areas' conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Iderval Sodré Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade - PPGECB, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz -UESC, Pavilhão Prof. Max de Menezes, 1º andar, sala 1DA., Rodovia Jorge Amado, km 16 - Salobrinho, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Evangelista Fraga
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Rio de Contas, 58, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, BA, 45029-094, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Schiavetti
- Laboratório de Etnoconservação e Áreas Protegidas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, Salobrinho, BR, 45662-900, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
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Ethnozoology of snakebite victims in a risk area in Northeast Brazil. Toxicon 2021; 201:155-163. [PMID: 34454970 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study had the objectives to describe and analyze the perceptions and attitudes of snakebite victims in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied as snakebite victims to identify the characteristics of the accident, their daily life, as well as positive and negative attitudes towards snake conservation and knowledge about species. Information about the possible uses of traditional treatment, allopathic care characteristics along with the symptoms and sequelae resulting from the accident were also recorded. The results obtained revealed that accidents mostly occurred during the development of their daily activities (i.e. during agricultural activities, in hunting activities in the mountains, in caring for farm animals, etc); most accidents are associated with Caatinga lancehead (Jararaca; Bothrops erythromelas); the bites usually affect the limbs, 75% (n = 46) feet, and the victims resort to medical assistance for specific treatment, although some seek this service after using or ingesting medicinal or popular/home-made therapeutic resources. The most relevant characteristics detected in these accidents were the strong influence of myths about traditional treatment (20%, n = 12) and the knowledge about identifying common snake species in the region (66%, n = 40). No perception was detected about the importance of these animals, but there were negative attitudes when finding a snake, fear/panic (34%, n = 21); kill the snake (23%, n = 14), thus constituting facts which may be related to the deficiency in the education level of this population which is interfering in environmental and public health issues. Work on improving the knowledge and local perception could subsidize actions and policies aimed to prevent accidents, demystify snakes and contribute to the conservation of the species.
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Pettan-Brewer C, Martins AF, de Abreu DPB, Brandão APD, Barbosa DS, Figueroa DP, Cediel N, Kahn LH, Brandespim DF, Velásquez JCC, Carvalho AAB, Takayanagui AMM, Galhardo JA, Maia-Filho LFA, Pimpão CT, Vicente CR, Biondo AW. From the Approach to the Concept: One Health in Latin America-Experiences and Perspectives in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. Front Public Health 2021; 9:687110. [PMID: 34631640 PMCID: PMC8496448 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.687110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Professionals throughout the world have been working to assess the interdisciplinary interaction and interdependence between health and wellbeing in a constantly changing environment. The One Health concept was developed to encourage sustainable collaborative partnerships and to promote optimal health for people, animals, plants, the environment, and the whole planet. The dissemination of scientific discoveries and policies, by working directly with diverse communities, has been one of the main goals for Global One Health. The One Health concept has also been referred or related to as "One Medicine, One Medicine-One Health, One World-One Health, EcoHealth," and Planetary Health," depending on each fundamental view and approach. In Latin America, despite the concept still being discussed among health professionals and educators, several One Health initiatives have been used daily for more than decades. One Health action has been applied especially in rural and underserved urban areas where low socioeconomic status, lack of health professionals, and scarcity of medical resources may require professionals to work together. Local communities from diverse social and economic statuses, including indigenous populations have been working with institutions and social organizations for many years, accomplishing results through grassroots movements. These "bottom-up" socio-community approaches have also been tools for the prevention and control of diseases, such practice has preceded the One Health concepts in Latin American countries. It is strongly believed that collaborative, multidisciplinary, political, and economic initiatives with prosocial focus may become investments toward obtaining significant results in the face of global, economic and health challenges; working for a healthier world with inclusivity, equity, and equality. In this study, it is briefly presented how the One Health approach has been initiated and developed in Latin America, highlighting the events and actions taken in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Pettan-Brewer
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- One Health Brasil, Brazil, Brazil
| | - Andreza Francisco Martins
- Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Medical Sciences Department, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Daniel Paiva Barros de Abreu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Ana Pérola Drulla Brandão
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil Ministry of Health, Brasilia, and Portal Saúde Única, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - David Soeiro Barbosa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniela P. Figueroa
- Ecophysiological Modeling laboratory, Liberal Arts Faculty, Adolfo Ibáñez University and Applied Research Center of Chile (CIACHI) of Science and Education Foundation, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Cediel
- School of Agricultural Sciences, De La Salle University, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Laura H. Kahn
- Princeton School of Public Health and International Affairs, Princeton University, New Jersey and One Health Initiative Pro-Bono, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Adolorata Aparecida Bianco Carvalho
- Department of Pathology, Theriogenology and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Angela Maria Magosso Takayanagui
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Maternal-Infant and Public Health, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Juliana Arena Galhardo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Brazil
| | | | - Cláudia Turra Pimpão
- School of Life Science, Pontifícia Universidade Católica Do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Creuza Rachel Vicente
- Department of Social Medicine, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
- Purdue University, East Lafayette, IN, United States
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Alves RRN, Borges AKM, Barboza RRD, Souto WMS, Gonçalves‐Souza T, Provete DB, Albuquerque UP. A global analysis of ecological and evolutionary drivers of the use of wild mammals in traditional medicine. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual da Paraíba Av. das Baraúnas, 351 / Campus Universitário Campina Grande PB58109‐753Brasil
- Pós‐Graduação Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Universidade Federal da Paraíba Bodocongó João Pessoa PB58051‐900Brasil
| | - Anna Karolina Martins Borges
- Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Universidade Federal da Paraíba João Pessoa PB58051‐900Brasil
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual da Paraíba Av. das Baraúnas, 351 / Campus Universitário Campina Grande PB58109‐753Brasil
| | - Raynner Rilke Duarte Barboza
- Colégio Aplicação – CAP Universidade Federal de Roraima ‐ Avenida Capitão Ene Garcês 2413 ‐ Aeroporto, Campus do Paricarana Boa Vista69310‐000Brasil
| | - Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto
- Laboratory of Zoology Wildlife Use and Conservation (ZUCON) Department of Biology Federal University of Piaui (UFPI) Campus Ministro Petrônio Portella Teresina Piaui64049‐550Brasil
| | - Thiago Gonçalves‐Souza
- Departamento de Biologia Laboratório de Síntese Ecológica e Conservação da Biodiversidade Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos ‐ CEP Recife PE52171‐900Brasil
| | - Diogo B. Provete
- Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Campo Grande, 79002‐970 Mato Grosso do Sul Brasil
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre Box 100 GöteborgS‐405 30Sweden
| | - Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos (LEA) Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária Recife, Pernambuco50670‐901Brasil
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da Silva JS, do Nascimento ALB, Alves RRN, Albuquerque UP. Use of game fauna by Fulni-ô people in Northeastern Brazil: implications for conservation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2020; 16:18. [PMID: 32303237 PMCID: PMC7164412 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00367-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the influence of several factors on the hunting of game meat, we investigated how the seasonality of the environment, the abundance, and the biomass of wild animals, as well as the proximity to these resources, can affect the hunting. METHODS The research was developed with the Fulni-ô people in the municipality of Águas Belas, Agreste of Pernambuco, Northeast of Brazil. In order to do this, we applied snowball sampling to select the participants. Data from potentially useful game species were obtained from lists and semi-structured interviews to register their particular kind of uses, capture periods (daytime, night, or both), preferences, and perceived abundance. The hunters who allowed their game meat captured to be weighed and identified were followed for 1 year. RESULTS Our records pointed to a vast repertoire of potentially hunting animals. However, we did not verify relationships between the abundance, seasonality, and biomass of the animals that were hunted by the Fulni-ô. We observed a total of 209,866 (kg) of game meat hunted in the studied group, belonging to 23 species, distributed in three taxonomic groups, the birds being the most representative group with 59% of total reported. CONCLUSION Such consumption by the group is well below in terms of biomass when compared to other ethnic or local groups in other regions of Brazil, or in Caatinga areas, characterizing an activity much more of cultural character than subsistence. Also, the use of game meat among the Fulni-ô seems to be actively directed to the preferred species, suggesting that in the case of an urbanized indigenous community, where other sources of income are available, the demand for game meat is lower when compared to other ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josivan Soares da Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - André Luiz Borba do Nascimento
- Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque
- Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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da Silva AB, Lopes JB, Figueiredo LS, de Barros RFM, Souto WMS, Alencar NL, Lopes CGR. Water spirits within the fishers' worldview: implications for fishing management in Northeast Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2019; 15:70. [PMID: 31870386 PMCID: PMC6929421 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-019-0350-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, aquatic environments are linked to the worldview of many local people, where there is an interconnection between the natural world, the supernatural, and the social organization. In this study, we provided a discussion on how the supernatural beings that inhabit the freshwater systems interact with artisanal fishers and fishing resources in the riverine community of Parnaíba River middle course, in Mid North of Northeast Brazil. We also provided the implications of these interactions on the fisher's behaviors and how the acculturation process (e.g., introduction of new religions) can affect the fishers' worldview. METHOD The selection of participants was done through intentional sampling. The content qualitative analysis was carried out to interpret the data from semi-structured interviews with 29 artisanal fishers. RESULTS The mythical representations that inhabit the aquatic environments in the surveyed area were as follows: Mãe d' água, Cabeça de cuia, Muleque d'água, Visage, Piratinga, Sucuiuiu, and Luz e Arco-íris. These beings have distinctions regarding the form and attributions and can be associated with seasonality (temporal markers) and specific habitats (spatial markers). The respect and fear feeling of the mythical beings were striking among the fishers interviewed. For instance, we have record offering practices in order to obtain protection and success during the fisheries. These practices suggest that there may be local conservationist habits in fisheries management. However, the advancement of urbanization and the introduction of new religions that deny the existence of mythical entities are factors that can generate the acculturation process among the fishers. CONCLUSIONS It is therefore necessary to carry out more studies in the surveyed area in order to evaluate the existence of possible patterns in the relationship between fisher and mythical beings. This information could confirm the role of mythical beings as environmental regulators. Consequently, it could be considered in the conservationist policies of fishery resources, reinforcing the importance of local knowledge and cultural factors for fishing management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Bastos da Silva
- Development and Environment Graduate Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Universitária, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil.
| | - João Batista Lopes
- Development and Environment Graduate Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Universitária, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil
| | - Luciano Silva Figueiredo
- Development and Environment Graduate Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Universitária, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil
- Nature Science Center, State University of Piauí (UESPI), 25 Highway BR230, Picos, Piauí, 64600-000, Brazil
| | - Roseli Farias Melo de Barros
- Development and Environment Graduate Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Universitária, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil
- Department of Biology, UFPI, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto
- Development and Environment Graduate Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Universitária, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil
- Department of Biology, UFPI, Teresina, Brazil
| | | | - Clarissa Gomes Reis Lopes
- Development and Environment Graduate Program, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Universitária, Teresina, Piauí, 64049-550, Brazil
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da Silva TC, de Medeiros PM, Hanazaki N, da Fonseca-Kruel VS, Hora JSL, de Medeiros SG. The role of women in Brazilian ethnobiology: challenges and perspectives. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2019; 15:44. [PMID: 31462287 PMCID: PMC6714401 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-019-0322-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The article aims to analyze the representativeness of women in ethnobiological publications within the Brazilian context, as well as to relate the difficulties faced by women in their scientific careers in terms of gender bias. Biases found in publications are relevant themes to different areas of knowledge, considering the historical persistence of male privilege in these activities. We analyzed the role of women in ethnobiological scientific publications and sought to reflect on gender issues in academic practices and fieldwork. METHODS We conducted a 28-year survey of academic publications in Brazil, through the Scopus and Web of Science databases, in order to infer the female representation in ethnobiological literature. We also sent 77 questionnaires to ethnobiologists associated with the Brazilian society of ethnobiology and ethnoecology or indicted by associates through snowball sampling. RESULTS We observed that there are more articles where the senior author is male (p < 0.05). However, there are no differences in the number of publications led by men and women (p > 0.05), which shows a positive trend in terms of representation. Within subareas, ethnozoology had more male authors than other subareas of ethnobiology. Articles whose senior authors are men tend to be published in journals with a higher impact (p < 0.05). The interviews with Brazilian ethnobiologists showed that 53.2% of the interviewees reported feeling discriminated against in the academic environment because they were women. Moreover, 61.0% said they had disadvantages in collecting data because they were women. Additionally, most of the researchers reported having witnessed cases of sexism in the studied communities. CONCLUSION In the current scenarios of female participation, it is possible to reflect and identify advances and challenges associated with gender bias in ethnobiological studies conducted by Brazilian, both in the emic and etic spheres of research and in our scientific practice. As researchers in the area, we deal directly with social problems in the studied communities, such as violence against women, sexism, and prejudice, as well as the many problems faced in the academic universe itself.
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Bragagnolo C, Gama GM, Vieira FA, Campos-Silva JV, Bernard E, Malhado AC, Correia RA, Jepson P, de Carvalho SH, Efe MA, Ladle RJ. Hunting in Brazil: What are the options? Perspect Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Ferreira FS, Brito SV, Coutinho HDM, Souza EP, Almeida WO, Alves RRN. Vertebrates as a Bactericidal Agent. ECOHEALTH 2018; 15:619-626. [PMID: 29922961 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In Brazil, although a large number of animals are used in traditional medicine (at least 354 species), information about their biological activities is scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal potential of zootherapeutic by-products from animals used in Brazilian traditional medicine and discuss the ecological and cultural consequences of such practices. The species analyzed were: Tupinambis merianae (skin), Iguana iguana (skin and body fat), Crotalus durissus (skin and body fat), Boa constrictor (skin), Euphractus sexcinctus (body fat) and Coendou prehensilis (quills). Experiments were performed with standard clinical strains of Escherichia coli (EC-ATCC10536) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA-ATCC 25923). For the microbiological assay, the zootherapeutics were evaluated using serial microdilutions. The results indicate that none of the samples possess inhibitory activity against standard bacterial strains. The in vitro ineffectiveness of the analyzed products demonstrate a necessity for new pharmacological research that encompass a large number of species of medicinal animals as well as highlight the importance of zootherapy in the context of plans for animal conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F S Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Colegiado Acadêmico de Ecologia, Senhor do Bonfim, BA, Brazil.
| | - S V Brito
- Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil
| | - H D M Coutinho
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - E P Souza
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - W O Almeida
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - R R N Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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Pires Mesquita G, Domingo Rodríguez-Teijeiro J, Nascimento Barreto L. Patterns of mammal subsistence hunting in eastern Amazon, Brazil. WILDLIFE SOC B 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geison Pires Mesquita
- Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Animal Biology Animal, Vegetal Biology and Ecology; Faculty of Bioscience; Bellaterra Catalunya Spain
| | - José Domingo Rodríguez-Teijeiro
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Biology, Barcelona University, and IRBio; Av. Diagonal, 645 Barcelona Spain
| | - Larissa Nascimento Barreto
- Universidade Federal do Maranhão; CCBS, Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Av. dos Portugueses, 1966; Bacanga São Luís Maranhão Brazil
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Abstract
AbstractTo investigate the practice of hunting by local people in the southern Bahia region of Brazil and provide information to support the implementation of the National Action Plan for Conservation of the Central Atlantic Forest Mammals, we conducted 351 interviews with residents of three protected areas and a buffer zone. Thirty-seven percent of respondents stated that they had captured an animal opportunistically, 16% hunted actively and 47% did not hunt. The major motivation for hunting was consumption but people also hunted for medicinal purposes, recreation and retaliation. The most hunted and consumed species were the paca Cuniculus paca, the nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus and the collared peccary Pecari tajacu; threatened species were rarely hunted. Opinions varied on whether wildlife was declining or increasing; declines were generally attributed to hunting. Our findings suggest there is illegal hunting for consumption in and around protected areas of the region. Management efforts should prioritize fairness in the expropriation process for people who must be relocated, and adopt an approach to wildlife management that involves residents living around the protected areas, and considers their needs.
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Camacho Guerreiro AI, Ladle RJ, da Silva Batista V. Riverine fishers' knowledge of extreme climatic events in the Brazilian Amazonia. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2016; 12:50. [PMID: 27784304 PMCID: PMC5080777 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-016-0123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change is altering climate patterns, mainly increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme events with potentially serious impacts on natural resources and the people that use them. Adapting to such impacts will require the integration of scientific and local (folk) knowledge, especially the first-hand experiences and perceptions of resource users such as fishers. In this study, we identify how commercial riverine fishers in the Amazon remember extreme climatic events (flood and drought) and how they face the consequences of extreme events on fish availability. METHODS Data were collected from the main Manaus fishery harbor between June and October of 2013. Semi-structured questionnaires and a historical timeline technique were used to gather data from artisanal commercial fishers. Fishers' knowledge of extreme climate events was assessed by their "cultural consensus" for identification of event years and perceived impacts. Fishers' responses were also compared to hydrological data to test their similarity. RESULTS There was a high level of cultural consensus among fishers about extreme events years. They were able to identify four consecutive unusual droughts, between 2009 and 2012. Elevated levels of fish mortality and decreases in the fishery were perceived as consequences of the drought events, as well as, a reduction in fish size, and disappearance of some species. Extreme flood events were associated with greater difficulties accessing fishing grounds. CONCLUSIONS Extreme climatic events (floods and droughts) were remembered, and the recent increase in their intensity and frequency was also perceived. Moreover, extreme climate event (mainly droughts) impacts on fishery resources were also observed. Such information is potentially valuable for educational programs to further improve adaptation of local Amazonian fishing communities to future climate change, e.g. increasing local ecological knowledge using learning material based on their perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Camacho Guerreiro
- National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2.936, Petrópolis. CEP 69.067.375, Manaus, AM Brazil
| | - Richard J. Ladle
- Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Institute of Biological and Health Sciences (ICBS), Campus A. C. Simões; Av. Lourival Melo Mota s/n, Tabuleiro dos Martins. CEP 57.072.900, Maceió, AL Brazil
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Vandick da Silva Batista
- National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2.936, Petrópolis. CEP 69.067.375, Manaus, AM Brazil
- Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Institute of Biological and Health Sciences (ICBS), Campus A. C. Simões; Av. Lourival Melo Mota s/n, Tabuleiro dos Martins. CEP 57.072.900, Maceió, AL Brazil
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Pontes-da-Silva E, Pacheco MLT, Pequeno PACL, Franklin E, Kaefer IL. Attitudes Towards Scorpions and Frogs: A Survey Among Teachers and Students from Schools in the Vicinity of an Amazonian Protected Area. J ETHNOBIOL 2016. [DOI: 10.2993/0278-0771-36.2.395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Santos CAB, Alves RRN. Ethnoichthyology of the indigenous Truká people, Northeast Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2016; 12:1. [PMID: 26739346 PMCID: PMC4702390 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0076-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, fishing is an important activity for riverine communities established along the São Francisco River, including indigenous communities. In the present study, we researched fishing activities in two villages of the Truká ethnic group, both located in the State of Pernambuco along the sub-middle section of the São Francisco River, Northeast Brazil. We recorded the richness and uses of the fished species and the ecological knowledge on these species, the fishing techniques employed and the perception of the indigenous people regarding current environmental impacts on the São Francisco River that influence local fishing. METHOD The information was obtained through interviews with 33 Truká fishers (27 men and six women), including 17 interviewees from Central Village (Cabrobó) and 16 from Tapera Village (Orocó). RESULTS Using five fishing techniques, the interviewees caught 25 fish species, including 21 native and four exotic species. All species are used as food, and two species are used in traditional Truká medicine. The interviewees revealed that fishing currently has less importance in their subsistence. They indicated that this situation is occurring because of several factors, such as the introduction of exotic species, pollution and urbanization, that have impacted the São Francisco River, resulting in a decline of fishing resources. Nevertheless, we found that the indigenous people who are still fishing have a broad knowledge of the habitat and ecology of the target fishing. CONCLUSION Although fishing is declining in importance among the Truká, we found that the individuals who are still practicing this activity have a broad knowledge about the habitat and ecology of the target species and apply that knowledge to fishing methods. Knowledge about the ecology of the species and the environmental impacts that have affected them can support basic research on local fish populations and research investigating the environmental impacts, resource management and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Batista Santos
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brasil.
- Departamento de Tecnologia e Ciências Sociais, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Avenida Edgard Chastinet, s/n, São Geraldo, 48905-680, Juazeiro, BA, Brasil.
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
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Lyra-Neves RM, Santos EM, Medeiros PM, Alves RRN, Albuquerque UP. Ethnozoology in Brazil: analysis of the methodological risks in published studies. BRAZ J BIOL 2015; 75:S184-91. [DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.09314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract There has been a growth in the field of Ethnozoology throughout the years, especially in Brazil, where a considerable number of scientific articles pertaining to this subject has been published in recent decades. With this increase in publications comes the opportunity to assess the quality of these publications, as there are no known studies assessing the methodological risks in this area. Based on this observation, our objectives were to compile the papers published on the subject of ethnozoology and to answer the following questions: 1) Do the Brazilian ethnozoological studies use sound sampling methods?; 2) Is the sampling quality influenced by characteristics of the studies/publications? The studies found in databases and using web search engines were compiled to answer these questions. The studies were assessed based on their nature, sampling methods, use of hypotheses and tests, journal’s impact factor, and animal group studied. The majority of the studies analyzed exhibited problems associated with the samples, as 144 (66.98%) studies were classified as having a high risk of bias. With regard to the characteristics analyzed, we determined that a quantitative nature and the use of tests are essential components of good sampling. Most studies classified as moderate and low risk either did not provide these data or provided data that were not clear; therefore, these studies were classified as being of a quali-quantitative nature. Studies performed with vertebrate groups were of high risk. Most of the papers analyzed here focused on fish, insects, and/or mollusks, thus highlighting the difficulties associated with conducting interviews regarding tetrapod vertebrates. Such difficulties are largely related to the extremely strict Brazilian laws, justified by the decline and extinction of some species, related to the use of wild tetrapod vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. M. Lyra-Neves
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - E. M. Santos
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil
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García Del Valle Y, Naranjo EJ, Caballero J, Martorell C, Ruan-Soto F, Enríquez PL. Cultural significance of wild mammals in Mayan and mestizo communities of the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:36. [PMID: 25947968 PMCID: PMC4449583 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0021-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several ethnobiology studies evaluate the cultural significance (CS) of plants and mushrooms. However, this is not the case for mammals. It is important to make studies of CS allowing the comparison of cultural groups because the value given to groups of organisms may be based on different criteria. Such information would be valuable for wildlife preservation plans. In this study, the most culturally significant species of mammals from the Lacandon Rainforest (Chiapas, Mexico) for people from two Mayan-Lacandon and mestizo communities were identified. The reasons behind the CS of the studied species were explored and the existence of differences among the cultural groups was evaluated. METHODS One hundred ninety-eight semi-structured and structured interviews were applied to compile socio-demographic information, qualitative data on CS categories, and free listings. Frequency of mention was a relative indicator to evaluate the CS of each species of mammal. Comparison of responses between communities was carried out through multivariate analyses. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of mentioned species by Lacandons and mestizos as well as different responses in the qualitative categories. A χ2 test was used to compare frequency of categories. RESULTS 38 wild mammal species were identified. The classification and Principal Components Analyses show an apparent separation between Lacandon and mestizo sites based on the relative importance of species. All four communities mentioned the lowland paca the most, followed by peccary, white-tailed deer, armadillo, and jaguar. No significant difference was found in the number of mentioned species between the two groups. Eight CS categories were identified. The most important category was "harmful mammals", which included 28 species. Other relevant categories were edible, medicinal, and appearing in narratives. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained in this study demonstrates the existence of differential cultural patterns in the relationships that Lacandon and mestizo groups establish with mammals. Species are deemed important either because they are eaten of because of the harm they cause. We suggest the incorporation of local conceptions about wild animals in conservation frameworks for the fauna in the Lacandon Rainforest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo J Naranjo
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur. San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.
| | - Javier Caballero
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, DF, Mexico.
| | - Carlos Martorell
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, DF, Mexico.
| | - Felipe Ruan-Soto
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico.
| | - Paula L Enríquez
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur. San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.
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Drumond MA, Guimarães AQ, da Silva RHP. The role of local knowledge and traditional extraction practices in the management of giant earthworms in Brazil. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123913. [PMID: 25874618 PMCID: PMC4396981 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The giant earthworm, Rhinodrilus alatus (Righi 1971), has been captured in the southeastern Brazilian Cerrado biome for approximately 80 years and used as bait for amateur fishing throughout Brazil. Local knowledge and traditional extraction practices are crucial for the establishment of management strategies for the species because, although its extraction involves conflicts and social and environmental impacts, the species is one of the major sources of income for approximately 3,000 people, especially for members of an Afro-descendant community that has approximately 2,000 inhabitants. Participatory tools, such as seasonal calendar, transect walks and participatory maps, were individually or collectively used with extractors and traders (former extractors), and 129 semi-structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with the same individuals between 2005 and 2012. The capture of Rhinodrilus alatus was observed in different seasons and areas of occurrence of the species in 17 municipalities, where this giant earthworm is the only species extracted for trade. All information obtained was verified by community members in 17 meetings. The extractors have an extensive knowledge of the life history, behavior, distribution, and possible impacts of climate change on the species. Different capture techniques, which have different impacts, are used during the dry and rainy seasons and are passed by the extractors through the generations. Local knowledge contributed to the establishment of agreements for the use of capture techniques that have less impact, to the expansion of scientific knowledge and the reassessment of the conservation status of Rhinodrilus alatus. The present study may serve as an example for management projects for other giant earthworm species in other regions of Brazil and in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Auxiliadora Drumond
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Artur Queiroz Guimarães
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel Hosken Pereira da Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Pinto MF, Mourão JS, Alves RRN. Use of ichthyofauna by artisanal fishermen at two protected areas along the coast of Northeast Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:20. [PMID: 25888941 PMCID: PMC4354751 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fishing is one of the oldest human activities and constitutes a source of income and livelihood for millions of people, particularly in coastal regions. This study aimed to characterize the types of fish use and test whether there is a relationship between uses of fish in the communities studied. METHODS This study was conducted during the months of January to October 2013, on the beaches of Tamandaré and Batoque, both located in Northeast Brazil. Information was collected through interviews with 75 artisanal marine fishermen on the fishes they knew and their forms of use. RESULTS The fishermen interviewed were male, between 22 and 84 years old, and they had been fishing for over 10 years and had a low educational level. Fishermen from Tamandaré mentioned 339 popular fish names, representing 222 taxa, while Batoque fishermen mentioned 305 popular fish names, representing 215 taxa. Six types of uses of fish were characterized: food, commercial, medicinal, handicrafts, spiritual-religious purposes and aquarium. It was found that there were multiple uses for fish and that there was a relationship between these different uses, reinforcing the importance that fish have on the culture and economic activities of fishing communities. CONCLUSIONS Artisanal fishing should be understood as a cultural activity, because the different and multiple uses fish make up the dynamics of fishing communities. Just as in the areas of this study, some of these communities are included in protected areas and, therefore, fishermen must be involved in the development and implementation of management plans of these units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Freire Pinto
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - José Silva Mourão
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil.
- Biology Department, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil.
- Biology Department, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
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Ramires M, Clauzet M, Barrella W, Rotundo MM, Silvano RA, Begossi A. Fishers' knowledge about fish trophic interactions in the southeastern Brazilian coast. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:19. [PMID: 25889226 PMCID: PMC4359786 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0012-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data derived from studies of fishers' local ecological knowledge (LEK) can be invaluable to the proposal of new studies and more appropriate management strategies. This study analyzed the fisher's LEK about trophic relationships of fishes in the southeastern Brazilian coast, comparing fishers' LEK with scientific knowledge to provide new hypotheses. METHODS The initial contacts with fishers were made through informal visits in their residences, to explain the research goals, meet fishers and their families, check the number of resident fishers and ask for fishers' consent to participate in the research. After this initial contact, fishers were selected to be included in the interviews through the technique of snowball sampling. The fishers indicated by others who attended the criteria to be included in the research were interviewed by using a semi-structured standard questionnaire. RESULTS There were interviewed 26 artisanal fishers from three communities of the Ilhabela: Jabaquara, Fome and Serraria. The interviewed fishers showed a detailed knowledge about the trophic interactions of the studied coastal fishes, as fishers mentioned 17 food items for these fishes and six fish and three mammals as fish predators. The most mentioned food items were small fish, shrimps and crabs, while the most mentioned predators were large reef fishes. Fishers also mentioned some predators, such as sea otters, that have not been reported by the biological literature and are poorly known. CONCLUSIONS The LEK of the studied fishers showed a high degree of concordance with the scientific literature regarding fish diet. This study evidenced the value of fishers' LEK to improve fisheries research and management, as well as the needy to increase the collaboration among managers, biologists and fishers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Ramires
- Laboratório de Ecologia Humana, Programa de Pós Graduação em Sustentabilidade de Ecossistemas Costeiros e Marinhos (ECOMAR), Universidade Santa Cecília - UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Mota, 08. Bloco F, Santos, SP, CEP: 11045-040, Brazil.
- Fisheries and Food Institute - FIFO/UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Motta, 08. Sala 82 F, Santos, SP, CEP:11045-040, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Clauzet
- Laboratório de Ecologia Humana, Programa de Pós Graduação em Sustentabilidade de Ecossistemas Costeiros e Marinhos (ECOMAR), Universidade Santa Cecília - UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Mota, 08. Bloco F, Santos, SP, CEP: 11045-040, Brazil.
- Fisheries and Food Institute - FIFO/UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Motta, 08. Sala 82 F, Santos, SP, CEP:11045-040, Brazil.
| | - Walter Barrella
- Laboratório de Ecologia Humana, Programa de Pós Graduação em Sustentabilidade de Ecossistemas Costeiros e Marinhos (ECOMAR), Universidade Santa Cecília - UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Mota, 08. Bloco F, Santos, SP, CEP: 11045-040, Brazil.
- Fisheries and Food Institute - FIFO/UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Motta, 08. Sala 82 F, Santos, SP, CEP:11045-040, Brazil.
| | - Matheus M Rotundo
- Acervo Zoológico da Universidade Santa Cecília (AZUSC), Rua Oswaldo Cruz, 266, Santos, SP, CEP: 11045-907, Brazil.
| | - Renato Am Silvano
- Fisheries and Food Institute - FIFO/UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Motta, 08. Sala 82 F, Santos, SP, CEP:11045-040, Brazil.
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, CP 15007, CEP: 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Alpina Begossi
- Laboratório de Ecologia Humana, Programa de Pós Graduação em Sustentabilidade de Ecossistemas Costeiros e Marinhos (ECOMAR), Universidade Santa Cecília - UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Mota, 08. Bloco F, Santos, SP, CEP: 11045-040, Brazil.
- Fisheries and Food Institute - FIFO/UNISANTA, Rua Cesário Motta, 08. Sala 82 F, Santos, SP, CEP:11045-040, Brazil.
- CAPESCA/NEPA/UNICAMP, Rua Albert Einstein 291, Campinas, SP, CEP 13083-852, Brazil.
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Hernandez J, Campos CM, Borghi CE. Medicinal use of wild fauna by mestizo communities living near San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve (San Juan, Argentina). JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2015; 11:15. [PMID: 25608977 PMCID: PMC4417256 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-11-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild and domestic animals and their by-products are important ingredients in the preparation of curative, protective and preventive medicines. Despite the medicinal use of animals worldwide, this topic has received less attention than the use of medicinal plants. This study assessed the medicinal use of animals by mestizo communities living near San Guillermo MaB Reserve by addressing the following questions: What animal species and body parts are used? What ailments or diseases are treated with remedies from these species? To what extent do mestizo people use animals as a source of medicine? Is the use related to people's age? METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 171 inhabitants (15-93 years old) of four villages close to the Reserve: Tudcúm, Angualasto, Malimán and Colangüil. We calculated the informant consensus factor and fidelity level to test homogeneity of knowledge and to know the importance of different medicinal uses for a given species. RESULTS The medicinal use of animals was reported by 57% of the surveyed people. Seven species were mentioned: Rhea pennata, Lama guanicoe, Puma concolor, Pseudalopex sp., Lama vicugna, Lepus europaeus and Conepatus chinga. Several body parts were used: fat, leg, bezoar-stone, stomach, feather, meat, blood, feces, wool, and liver. The fat of R. pennata was the most frequently used animal part, followed by the bezoar stone and the leg of L. guanicoe. Animals were used to treat 22 ailments, with respiratory and nervous system disorders being the most frequently treated diseases with a high degree of consensus. Old people used animals as remedies more frequently than young residents, showing some differences among villages. CONCLUSIONS A low number of animal species was mentioned as used for medicinal purposes, which could be explained by the perception of strong control related the legislation that bans hunting and the erosion of traditional knowledge produced by mestizaje. However, the presence of a traditional medicine is deeply rooted in the community culture. Management strategy for protected areas should focus not only on the conservation and sustainability of biological resources, but also on the ancestral knowledge of local communities, such as the medicinal use of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Hernandez
- Interacciones Biológicas del Desierto (INTERBIODES-CIGEOBIO [Centro de Investigaciones de la Geósfera y la Biósfera, CONICET-UNSJ). Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Ignacio de la Roza 590 (Oeste), J5402DCS, Rivadavia, San Juan, Argentina.
- Departamento de Biología e Instituto y Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. España 400 (Norte), 5400, San Juan, Argentina.
| | | | - Carlos E Borghi
- Interacciones Biológicas del Desierto (INTERBIODES-CIGEOBIO [Centro de Investigaciones de la Geósfera y la Biósfera, CONICET-UNSJ). Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Ignacio de la Roza 590 (Oeste), J5402DCS, Rivadavia, San Juan, Argentina.
- Departamento de Biología e Instituto y Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. España 400 (Norte), 5400, San Juan, Argentina.
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Manzan MF, Lopes PFM. Fishers' knowledge as a source of information about the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis, van Bénéden, 1864). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2015; 187:4096. [PMID: 25399120 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4096-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Fishers' local ecological knowledge (LEK) is an additional tool to obtain information about cetaceans, regarding their local particularities, fishing interactions, and behavior. However, this knowledge could vary in depth of detail according to the level of interaction that fishers have with a specific species. This study investigated differences in small-scale fishers' LEK regarding the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) in three Brazilian northeast coastal communities where fishing is practiced in estuarine lagoons and/or coastal waters and where dolphin-watching tourism varies from incipient to important. The fishers (N = 116) were asked about general characteristics of S. guianensis and their interactions with this dolphin during fishing activities. Compared to lagoon fishers, coastal fishers showed greater knowledge about the species but had more negative interactions with the dolphin during fishing activities. Coastal fishing not only offered the opportunity for fishers to observe a wider variety of the dolphin's behavior, but also implied direct contact with the dolphins, as they are bycaught in coastal gillnets. Besides complementing information that could be used for the management of cetaceans, this study shows that the type of environment most used by fishers also affects the accuracy of the information they provide. When designing studies to gather information on species and/or populations with the support of fishers, special consideration should be given to local particularities such as gear and habitats used within the fishing community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Fontes Manzan
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, CB, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, Natal, RN, 59078-900, Brazil
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Teixeira PHR, Thel TDN, Ferreira JMR, de Azevedo SM, Junior WRT, Lyra-Neves RM. Local knowledge and exploitation of the avian fauna by a rural community in the semi-arid zone of northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2014; 10:81. [PMID: 25540070 PMCID: PMC4364094 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study examined the exploitation of bird species by the residents of a rural community in the Brazilian semi-arid zone, and their preferences for species with different characteristics. METHODS The 24 informants were identified using the "snowball" approach, and were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and check-sheets for the collection of data on their relationship with the bird species that occur in the region. The characteristics that most attract the attention of the interviewees were the song and the coloration of the plumage of a bird, as well as its body size, which determines its potential as a game species, given that hunting is an important activity in the region. RESULTS A total of 98 species representing 32 families (50.7% of the species known to occur in the region) were reported during interviews, being used for meat, pets, and medicinal purposes. Three species were used as zootherapeutics - White-naped Jay was eaten whole as a cure for speech problems, the feathers of Yellow-legged Tinamou were used for snakebite, Smooth-billed Ani was eaten for "chronic cough" and Small-billed Tinamou and Tataupa Tinamou used for locomotion problems. The preference of the informants for characteristics such as birdsong and colorful plumage was a significant determinant of their preference for the species exploited. Birds with cynegetic potential and high use values were also among the most preferred species. Despite the highly significant preferences for certain species, some birds, such as those of the families Trochilidae, Thamnophilidae, and Tyrannidae are hunted randomly, independently of their attributes. CONCLUSION The evidence collected on the criteria applied by local specialists for the exploitation of the bird fauna permitted the identification of the species that suffer hunting pressure, providing guidelines for the development of conservation and management strategies that will guarantee the long-term survival of the populations of these bird species in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Hudson Rodrigues Teixeira
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Thiago do Nascimento Thel
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Jullio Marques Rocha Ferreira
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Severino Mendes de Azevedo
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Wallace Rodrigues Telino Junior
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
| | - Rachel Maria Lyra-Neves
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE, CEP: 52171-900 Brasil
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Boakye MK, Pietersen DW, Kotzé A, Dalton DL, Jansen R. Ethnomedicinal use of African pangolins by traditional medical practitioners in Sierra Leone. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2014; 10:76. [PMID: 25412571 PMCID: PMC4247607 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pangolins (Manidae) have long been used for traditional medicinal purposes in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, very little is known about the extent of this use, the body parts that are used and the ailments these practices are attempting to cure or alleviate. Pangolin body parts are used extensively and frequently by traditional medical practitioners in Sierra Leone. METHODS A total of 63 traditional medical practitioners consented and were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires on the traditional medicinal use of pangolin body parts. The use value, informant agreement ratio and use agreement value for each pangolin part was calculated to ascertain the most sought after body part, the level of knowledge dissemination among traditional medical practitioners about body parts and the most culturally significant body part. RESULTS It was found that 22 pangolin parts are used to treat various ailments and conditions under 17 international categories of diseases. The highest use value was recorded for scales while eyes had the highest level of consensus among the traditional medical practitioners. The highest use value and informant agreement ratio for scales were recorded for spiritual ailments. Scales were the most culturally significant body part according to the use agreement value. CONCLUSION This study indicates a high importance value for pangolins as part of these communities' spiritual, cultural and medicinal beliefs. However, the numbers of individuals harvested from the wild remains unknown and unregulated even though pangolins have been listed under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972, of Sierra Leone, which prohibits any person from hunting or being in possession of pangolins. It is likely that this unregulated harvesting and poaching of this threatened species, for medicinal purposes, is unsustainable and there is an urgent need to determine pangolin population abundance within this region to ensure their sustainable harvesting for cultural use and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell K Boakye
- />Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, P/Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
| | - Darren W Pietersen
- />African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), P/Bag X680, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- />African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), P/Bag X680, Pretoria, South Africa
- />National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
- />Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- />National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
- />Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Raymond Jansen
- />Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, P/Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
- />African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), P/Bag X680, Pretoria, South Africa
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Ferreira FS, Brito SV, Sales DL, Menezes IRA, Coutinho HDM, Souza EP, Almeida WO, Alves RRN. Anti-inflammatory potential of zootherapeutics derived from animals used in Brazilian traditional medicine. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2014; 52:1403-1410. [PMID: 25026349 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.894091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Animals are used for the treatment of diseases caused by inflammatory processes, although few studies evaluate their potential for these purposes. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of zootherapeutic products derived from vertebrates used in Brazilian traditional medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS The species analyzed were Tupinambis merianae, Iguana iguana, Crotalus durissus, Boa constrictor, and Euphractus sexcinctus. The methods used in anti-inflammatory assays were ear edema (topical) and paw (systemic). RESULTS With regard to topical anti-inflammatory activity, the fat from T. merianae, C. durissus, I. iguana, B. constrictor, and E. sexcinctus reduced inflammation, while for systemic anti-inflammatory activity, only the fat and the skin of C. durissus, the skin of I. iguana and the fat from B. constrictor reduced inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Studies should be conducted to evaluate the mechanisms of action for each product that demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity as well as against other inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe S Ferreira
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri , Pimenta, Crato, CE , Brazil
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Schulz F, Printes RC, Oliveira LR. Depredation of domestic herds by pumas based on farmer's information in Southern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2014; 10:73. [PMID: 25318598 PMCID: PMC4271476 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large carnivores such as pumas are frequently killed due to conflicts with human populations involving predation on domestic herds. In Southern Brazil, traditional pasture systems, where animals feed without specific husbandry practices is typical, becoming the herds vulnerable to puma attacks. The aim of this study was to examine the conflict between local people and pumas in a Protected Areas mosaic in southern Brazil. METHODS Forty-five face-to-face interviews with local people were performed during the year of 2011, using a structured questionnaire with open and closed questions about puma attack episodes in some farms. Based on responses, the conflict and puma attacks were described, and the characteristics of attacked farms and estimated financial losses were evaluated. The first respondents were indicated by the Local Environmental Agency, and the others were indicated by the first one and so on, which is known as "snow-ball" method. RESULTS Our data suggested that pumas used to attack in unfavorable conditions of visibility (foggy days) and on easier prey (e.g. sheep). Most of the attacks reported were close to forested areas and were focused on free herds during feeding activities. Some farmers said they gave up their sheep breeding activity due to losses caused by puma attacks. However, some farmers could over estimate their losses. Moreover, pumas were considered a threat to domestic herds and respondents mentioned cases of illegal puma hunting in the area. The results of questionnaires suggested that puma attack episodes were related to fragmentation of their habitat associated to incorrect management of herds in the farms studied. The diagnosis of this type of conflict and the characterization of most attacked sites are extremely important to create strategies to prevent and control attacks by wild carnivores. CONCLUSIONS Deep changes in husbandry practices added to educational programs should be implemented, in order to maintain the sustainability of rural activities as well as the survival of pumas in southern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine Schulz
- />Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo, RS 93.022-000 Brazil
| | - Rodrigo C Printes
- />Laboratório de Gestão Ambiental e Negociação de Conflitos, Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul (UERGS), Rua Assis Brasil, 842, Sao Francisco de Paula, RS 95400-000 Brazil
| | - Larissa R Oliveira
- />Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo, RS 93.022-000 Brazil
- />Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Aquáticos do Rio Grande do Sul (GEMARS), Rua Machado de Assis, 1456, Osório, RS 95520-000 Brazil
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de Carvalho RMA, Martins CF, Mourão JDS. Meliponiculture in Quilombola communities of Ipiranga and Gurugi, Paraíba state, Brazil: an ethnoecological approach. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2014; 10:3. [PMID: 24410767 PMCID: PMC4120937 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Quilombola communities of Ipiranga and Gurugi, located in Atlantic Rainforest in Southern of Paraíba state, have stories that are interwoven throughout time. The practice of meliponicultura has been carried out for generations in these social groups and provides an elaborate ecological knowledge based on native stingless bees, the melliferous flora and the management techniques used. The traditional knowledge that Quilombola have of stingless bees is of utmost importance for the establishment of conservation strategies for many species. METHODS To deepen study concerning the ecological knowledge of the beekeepers, the method of participant observation together with structured and semi-structured interviews was used, as well as the collection of entomological and botanical categories of bees and plants mentioned. With the aim of recording the knowledge related to meliponiculture previously exercised by the residents, the method of the oral story was employed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results show that the informants sampled possess knowledge of twelve categories of stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini), classified according to morphological, behavioral and ecological characteristics. Their management techniques are represented by the making of traditional cortiço and the melliferous flora is composed of many species predominant in the Atlantic Rainforest. From recording the memories and recollections of the individuals, it was observed that an intricate system of beliefs has permeated the keeping of uruçu bees (Melipona scutellaris) for generations. CONCLUSION According to management techniques used by beekeepers, the keeping of stingless bees in the communities is considered a traditional activity that is embedded within a network of ecological knowledge and beliefs accumulated by generations over time, and is undergoing a process of transformation that provides new meanings to such knowledge, as can be observed in the practices of young people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Celso Feitosa Martins
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba,
João Pessoa, PB 58051-900, Brasil
| | - José da Silva Mourão
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das
Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB
58109-753, Brasil
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Albuquerque UP, Silva JS, Campos JLA, Sousa RS, Silva TC, Alves RRN. The current status of ethnobiological research in Latin America: gaps and perspectives. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2013; 9:72. [PMID: 24131758 PMCID: PMC4015921 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent reviews have demonstrated an increase in the number of papers on ethnobiology in Latin America. Among factors that have influenced this increase are the biological and cultural diversity of these countries and the general scientific situation in some countries. This study aims to assess the panorama of ethnobiological research in Latin America by analyzing its evolution, trends, and future prospects. METHODS To conduct this study, we searched for papers in the Scopus (http://www.scopus.com) and Web of Science (http://www.isiknowledge.com) databases. The search was performed using combinations of keywords and the name of each Latin American country. The following countries were included in this study: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS According to our inclusion criteria, 679 ethnobiological studies conducted in Latin America were found for the period between 1963 and 2012. Of these studies, 289 (41%) were conducted in Brazil, 153 in Mexico (22%), 61 in Peru (9%), 58 in Argentina (8%), 45 in Bolivia (6%), and 97 (14%) in other Latin American countries. The increased number of publications related to this area of knowledge in recent years demonstrates the remarkable growth of ethnobiology as a science. Ethnobiological research may be stimulated by an increase in the number of scientific events and journals for study dissemination and by the creation of undergraduate courses and graduate programs to train ethnoscientists who will produce high-quality studies, especially in certain countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA), Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE CEP: 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Josivan Soares Silva
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA), Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE CEP: 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana Loureiro Almeida Campos
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA), Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE CEP: 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Rosemary Silva Sousa
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA), Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE CEP: 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Taline Cristina Silva
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA), Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife/PE CEP: 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande-PB 58109-753, Brazil
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Alves RRN, Neta RODS, Trovão DMDBM, Barbosa JEDL, Barros AT, Dias TLP. Traditional uses of medicinal animals in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:41. [PMID: 23050756 PMCID: PMC3547754 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The present work presents an inventory of the traditional medicinal uses of animals in the municipality of Bom Sucesso in Paraíba State (PB) in the semiarid northeastern region of Brazil. Information was obtained through the use of semi-structured interviews with 50 people who use zootherapeutic products. A total of 25 animal species used for medicinal purposes were identified (18 vertebrates and seven invertebrates) distributed among five taxonomic categories; the groups with the largest numbers of citations were: mammals (8 citations), insects (7), and reptiles (5). The most cited animal species were: Tubinambis merianae "teju" lizards (44 citations); Apis mellifera Italian honeybees (318 citations); Gallus gallus chickens (31 citations); Ovis aries sheep (31 citations); Crotalus durissus rattlesnakes (14 citations); Boa constrictor (12 citations); and Bos taurus cattle (12 citations). A significant number of illnesses and conditions treated with animal-based medicines were cited, and the category with the greatest number of citations was "problems affecting the respiratory system". Our results suggest that the use of zootherapeutics in the region is persistent, and that knowledge about these curative practices is an integral part of the regional culture. As such, studies concerning the uses of zootherapeutics are important windows to understanding human/environmental/cultural interactions and a pathway to conciliating regional cultures with efforts to conserve the native fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Rita Oliveira de Sousa Neta
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Dilma Maria de Brito Melo Trovão
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Jose Etham de Lucena Barbosa
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Adrianne Teixeira Barros
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
| | - Thelma Lucia Pereira Dias
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, 58109-753, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
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Barros FB, Varela SAM, Pereira HM, Vicente L. Medicinal use of fauna by a traditional community in the Brazilian Amazonia. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:37. [PMID: 23013927 PMCID: PMC3502351 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zootherapy inventories are important as they contribute to the world documentation of the prevalence, importance and diversity of the medicinal use of animals in traditional human communities. The present study aims to contribute with a more valuable example of the zootherapy practices of a traditional community in the Brazilian Amazonia - the "Riozinho do Anfrísio" Extractive Reserve, in Northern Brazil. METHODS We used the methods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews, applied to 25 informants. We employed the combined properties of two indices to measure the medicinal importance of each cited species to the studied community, as well as their versatility in the treatment of diseases: the well known Use Value (UV) and the Medicinal Applications Value (MAV) that we developed. RESULTS We recorded 31 species of medicinal animals from six taxonomic categories, seven of which are new to science. The species are used for the treatment of 28 diseases and one species is used as an amulet against snakebites. The five species with the highest UV indices are the most popular and valued by the studied community. Their contrasting MAV indices indicate that they have different therapeutic properties: specific (used for the treatment of few diseases; low versatility) and all-purpose (several diseases; high versatility). Similarly, the most cited diseases were also those that could be treated with a larger number of animal species. Ten species are listed in the CITES appendices and 21 are present in the IUCN Red List. The knowledge about the medicinal use of the local fauna is distributed evenly among the different age groups of the informants. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the local fauna represents an important medicinal resource for the inhabitants of the protected area. The combined use of the UV and MAV indices allowed identifying the species with the highest therapeutic potential. This type of information about a species may be of interest to pharmacological research, and is crucial to its conservation, since it helps signaling the species that may undergo higher hunting pressures. Data on zootherapy can also be of interesting to ecologists by contributing to indicators of local biodiversity richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávio B Barros
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Núcleo de Ciências Agrárias e Desenvolvimento Rural (NCADR), Programas de Pós-Graduação em Agriculturas Amazônicas (NCADR) e Antropologia (IFCH), Cidade Universitária José da Silveira Netto, Rua Augusto Corrêa, N° 1, Guamá, Belém, 66075-110, Pará, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa,, Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C2, Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Susana AM Varela
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, C2-P3 Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1794-016, Portugal
| | - Henrique M Pereira
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa,, Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C2, Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Luís Vicente
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, C2-P3 Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1794-016, Portugal
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Léo Neto NA, Voeks RA, Dias TLP, Alves RRN. Mollusks of Candomblé: symbolic and ritualistic importance. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:10. [PMID: 22420523 PMCID: PMC3325884 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Human societies utilize mollusks for myriad material and spiritual ends. An example of their use in a religious context is found in Brazil's African-derived belief systems. Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion introduced during the 18th-19th centuries by enslaved Yoruba, includes various magical and liturgical uses of mollusks. This work inventoried the species utilized by adherents and to analyzed their symbolic and magical context. Data were obtained from Candomblé temples in two cities in the northeast of Brazil-Caruaru, in the state of Pernambuco, and Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba. Questionnaires administered to eleven adepts revealed that at least nineteen mollusk species are being used. Shells from Monetaria moneta, M. annulus and Erosaria caputserpentis were cited by all of the interviewees. Three uses stood out: divination (jogo de búzios); utilization as ritual objects; and employment as sacrificial offerings (Igbin or Boi-de-Oxalá). The jogo de búzios (shell toss), employed in West Africa, Brazil and Cuba, is of fundamental importance to the cult, representing the means by which the faithful enter in contact with the divinities (Orixás) and consult people's futures (Odu). The utilization of mollusks in Candomblé is strongly influenced by ancient Yoruba myths (Itãs) which, having survived enslavement and generations of captive labor, continue to guide the lives of Brazil's African Diaspora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivaldo A Léo Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB 58109-753, Brasil
| | - Robert A Voeks
- Geography Department, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92834, USA
| | - Thelma LP Dias
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB 58109-753, Brasil
| | - Rômulo RN Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av. das Baraúnas, 351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB 58109-753, Brasil
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Ceríaco LM. Human attitudes towards herpetofauna: the influence of folklore and negative values on the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Portugal. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2012; 8:8. [PMID: 22316318 PMCID: PMC3292471 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-8-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2012] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human values and folklore of wildlife strongly influence the effectiveness of conservation efforts. These values and folklore may also vary with certain demographic characteristics such as gender, age, or education. Reptiles and amphibians are among the least appreciated of vertebrates and are victims of many negative values and wrong ideas resulting from the direct interpretation of folklore. We try to demonstrate how these values and folklore can affect the way people relate to them and also the possible conservation impacts on these animals. METHODS A questionnaire survey distributed to 514 people in the district of Évora, Portugal, was used to obtain data regarding the hypothesis that the existence of wrong ideas and negative values contributes to the phenomenon of human-associated persecution of these animals. A structural equation model was specified in order to confirm the hypothesis about the possible relationships between the presence of perceptions and negative values about amphibians and reptiles and persecution and anti-conservation attitudes. Sociodemographic variables were also added. RESULTS The results of the model suggest that the presence of folklore and negative values clearly predicts persecution and anti-conservation attitudes towards amphibians and reptiles. Also, the existence of folklore varies sociodemographically, but negative values concerning these animals are widespread in the population. CONCLUSIONS With the use of structural equation models, this work is a contribution to the study of how certain ideas and values can directly influence human attitudes towards herpetofauna and how they can be a serious conservation issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Mp Ceríaco
- Centro de Estudos de História e Filosofia da Ciência (CEHFCi), Universidade de Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, Évora, Portugal.
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The trade in medicinal animals in northeastern Brazil. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2012:126938. [PMID: 22216053 PMCID: PMC3247011 DOI: 10.1155/2012/126938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Over the centuries, a significant part of the Brazilian fauna is widely sold, more specifically in retail stores or street markets. The objective was to characterize the sale of medicinal animals in five large northeast cities. Information about the sale of zootherapeutic items was obtained in the cities of Aracaju-SE, Fortaleza-CE, Maceio-AL, Recife-PE, and Salvador-BA. A total of 68 animal species were sold for medicinal purposes in the cities studied; these are the first results on the use and sale of zootherapeutics in the markets of Aracaju, Fortaleza, and Salvador and first recorded on the medicinal use of the Achatina fulica, Trachycardium muricatum, Philodryas olfersii, Desmodus rotundus, and Leptodactylus vastus. Knowledge of the fauna utilized popular medicine is indispensable for conservation, demonstrating that research on this subject is necessary to determine appropriate practices for the management of the fauna.
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