ABSTRACT
The golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) is an endangered primate that occurs exclusively in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil. Its geographic range has been severely reduced by deforestation and its populations are restricted to a human-modified landscape consisting primarily of Atlantic forest fragments and shade cacao (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry, locally known as cabrucas. In the last 30 years, there has been a 42% reduction in the geographic range and a 60% reduction in the population size of L. chrysomelas, with only 8% of its habitat represented by protected areas. Thus, we investigated the occurrence of L. chrysomelas in forest fragments and cabrucas based on interviews and using playback census, and evaluated the influence of landscape attributes on its occurrence. The occurrence was measured using a Generalized Linear Model using a set of 12 predictor variables, including fragment size and elevation. L. chrysomelas inhabited 186 (38%) of the 495 forest fragments and cabrucas. Most inhabited habitat patches (n = 169, 91%) are in the eastern portion (ca. 70 km wide region from the Atlantic coast to inland) of its geographic range. The remaining (n = 17, 9%) are in the western portion of the distribution, between 70 and 150 km from the Atlantic coast. Our models indicate a higher occurrence of L. chrysomelas in the eastern portion of its geographic range, where the landscape exhibits lower land cover diversity, greater functional connectivity, lower altitudes (<400 m), and is primarily composed of forest fragments and cabrucas with a higher core percentage. In contrast, we observed a lower occurrence of L. chrysomelas in the western portion, where the landscape is more diverse and heterogeneous due to anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture and livestock. We urge the establishment of ecological corridors via reforestation of degraded areas in the western portion of the range. This increase in habitat availability and suitability in the west together with the protection of the forests and cabrucas in the east would increase our chances of saving L. chrysomelas from extinction.
Subject(s)
Leontopithecus , Humans , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Forests , EcosystemABSTRACT
Abstract: Wild and domestic animals and their by-products are important ingredients in the preparation of medicines traditionally used in folk medicine, present in various human cultures since antiquity. However, the decline in the number of species in neotropical regions as a result of hunting for various purposes, including food, medicine and magico-religious use, has placed some species - especially endemic species - at risk of extinction. In this context, the present study aimed to identify the wild vertebrate species used in folk medicine in five communities in the region surrounding the Serra do Conduru State Park (PESC), Bahia, Brazil. Forty-five hunter-farmers were interviewed, citing 23 species, from which 17 raw materials are extracted for prevention and/or treatment of 19 illnesses. Mammals were the most cited taxon followed by birds and reptiles. Among the species mentioned, Cuniculus paca is the most used for zootherapy purposes, followed by Salvator merianae and Sphiggurus insidiosus. There was dissimilarity between the communities in relation to the diversity of species used for zootherapy. Ten categories of body systems were classified for which the therapeutic resources are recommended. Disorders related to the middle and inner ear were the most cited. Some of the species mentioned are endangered, such as Bradypus torquatus and Lachesis muta. This research demonstrated that zootherapy is a traditional practice embedded in these communities. Further studies are needed to broaden knowledge of other species that may have important cultural value for these families, as well as to evaluate the potential implications of the uncontrolled use of these species in traditional medicine in an ecological context, since the practice of zootherapy can excerpt pressure on critical animal populations and threaten biodiversity.
Resumo: Animais silvestres, domésticos e seus subprodutos são ingredientes importantes na preparação de medicamentos tradicionalmente utilizados na medicina popular, presentes em várias culturas humanas desde a antiguidade. No entanto, a diminuição do número de espécies nas regiões neotropicais, por meio da caça para diversas finalidades, como uso alimentar, medicinal e mágico-religioso tem colocado espécies em risco de extinção, especialmente as endêmicas. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo objetivou identificar as espécies de vertebrados silvestres utilizadas na medicina popular em cinco comunidades na região do entorno do Parque Estadual Serra do Conduru (PESC), Bahia, Brasil. Foram entrevistados 45 caçadores-agricultores que citaram 23 espécies os quais são extraídas 17 matérias-primas para prevenção e/ou tratamento de 19 enfermidades. Os mamíferos foi o táxon com maior número de citações, seguido pelas aves e répteis. Dentre as espécies citadas a Cuniculus paca é a mais utilizada para fins zooterápicos, seguido por Salvator merianae e Sphiggurus insidiosus. As comunidades apresentaram uma dissimilaridade em relação a diversidade de espécies de uso zooterápicos. Foram classificadas 10 categorias dos sistemas corporais para os quais os recursos terapêuticos são recomendados. Transtornos relacionados ao ouvido médio e interno foram os mais citados. Algumas espécies citadas encontram-se ameaçadas de extinção, como a Bradypus torquatus e Lachesis muta. A pesquisa mostrou que a zooterapia é uma prática tradicional inserida nas comunidades. Estudos adicionais são necessários para ampliar o conhecimento sobre demais espécies que possivelmente desempenham importante valor cultural às famílias, bem como avaliar em um contexto ecológico às implicações que pode acarretar com o uso descontrolado dessas espécies na medicina tradicional, uma vez que a prática da zooterapia pode causar pressão sobre populações animais críticas e ameaçar a biodiversidade.
