Abstract
BACKGROUND: Wild mammals have constituted a widely used source of protein for most of the world’s cultures. Although there is no consensus on why some mammal species are more important for people than others, evidence provided by the discipline of ethnozoology suggests that distinct cultures value species differently, probably based on motivations and interests relevant for each group. In this paper we analyze the factors involved in the valuation of wild mammals consumed by two culturally distinct groups (Lacandon and Mestizo) in the Lacandon Forest, Chiapas, Mexico. We test the hypothesis that, due to different historical processes of each group, the Lacandones will prefer a larger number of species, favoring reasons such as consumption frequency, knowledge transmission, and capture techniques, whereas the Mestizos will favor other factors such as the commercial value of selected species. METHODS: We interviewed 189 adult residents (87 lacandones and 102 mestizos) of the study area to obtain seven indicators and two indices to assess the relative significance of the reasons why they value mammals: TaI = Taste indicator; HuI = Hunting indicator; CoI = Consumption indicator; KTI = Knowledge transmission indicator; HFI = Healthy food indicator; CoVI = Commercial value indicator; and CaTI = Capture technique indicator. After that, we interviewed 40 residents per community selected randomly. A Cultural Significance Index (CSI) was proposed and compared to the Mention Index (MI). CSI values were used to run cluster analyses and principal component analyses. A correlation analysis was also run to test for potential relationships between the specific MI values and each indicator. RESULTS: Eight consumed mammal ethnotaxa were recorded in the study area; six en Lacandon communities and five in Mestizo communities. Spotted paca (Cuniculus paca), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) were the most frequently used species for food. Consumption and commercial value were the most relevant indicators in consumed mammal valuation by Lacandon and Mestizo interviewees. Spotted paca was the most highly rated specie in the CSI, followed by white-tailed deer, among both Lacandones and Mestizos. The only differences between the populations were for the KTI, with higher values among Lacandones, and the CaTI, with higher values among Mestizos. CONCLUSIONS: Lacandones and Mestizos do not experience marked differences in the reasons they value mammals or in the composition of the most important species. Methodologically, the seven indicators suggested by the interviewees and the two indices applied in this study were useful to perform a comprehensive assessment of the reasons why the residents of the Lacandon Forest value wild mammals.