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This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the imaginary of Caipora and environmental conservation in Serra da Jiboia. Data obtained through the application of semi-structured interviews and Likert scale. All data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Interviews were carried out with a total of 57 residents, adult men and women whose main source of income is provided by agricultural activities. Through factor analysis, it was possible to identify four factors that explain the variations in responses given by residents of the region, suggesting a strong belief in the spiritual entities of the forest and its importance for nature conservation. Although Catholicism is the predominant religion in the region, belief in Caipora was high, being related to the appreciation and preservation of local nature. Through the chi-square test, it was possible to verify a statistically significant relationship between the belief in Caipora and the activities carried out in the forest by the interviewees. This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between popular beliefs and environmental conservation, highlighting the importance of considering local knowledge for the development of public policies aimed at nature preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnotaxonomy shows how members of a culture nominate and categorize biological organisms in their local language. This article presents the ethnotaxonomy of insects in the Mixtec language of the Municipality of San Miguel el Grande, Oaxaca, Mexico. The sample consisted of 96 men and 133 women between 8 and 91 years of age. The data were obtained between spring and summer of 2017 through open and semi-structured interviews and were analyzed according to ethnosemantic analysis techniques to understand the meaning of the name of an organism (nominated category) in the Mixtec culture. Regarding the Mixtec ethnoclassification of organisms recognized as insects in the municipality of San Miguel el Grande, the interviewees cited 75 names. It is noted that more than half of the registered folk species receive a binomial name (57%), and 43% receive a monomial name. Out of these latter, 44% agree with a linear species and the other 56% refer to generics. The analysis of each of the Mixtec entomological names seems to indicate that insects play an important role in people's lives, since the criterion of name formation reveals that Mixtecs have a traditional historical knowledge, that they have used the interactions of the natural resources that surround them to codify them. However, it seems that the native name of the taxa is becoming extinct in an accelerated way and obviously when a name disappears, parts of the cultural connections and ethnoecological knowledge with the species are broken. Mixtec ethnoecological knowledge reveals the interrelations of the members of this community with the local ecosystem, the interactions or exchanges of experiences and knowledge between the different generations, as well as the care with their traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Ibero-Americana de Ciências Ambientais is the property of CBPC - Companhia Brasileira de Producao Cientifica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

From the supremacy of Biology curricula to the intercultural dialogue in Science teaching. Some thoughts that are the result of theoretical and empirical studies from the perspective of ethnobiology, biology teaching and training of biologists as biology teachers in universities, schools and traditional communities are presented in this article. It is suggested that the arguments presented here can serve as a basis for broader discussions on the teaching of biology in cultural diversity, considering the need for a flexible and open dialogue with other cultures curriculum and also with modern science. In this sense, education based on respect for the rights of each culture, recognition of their science, their knowledge and their experiences not only would favor the support to the resistance these peoples have to show against the trivial facts of globalization, but it would contrast, fortunately, with those traditional pedagogies repeating old knowledge and coerce those inserts in these educational systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on popular names of birds help to understand the relationship between human beings and birds and it also contributes to the field of ornithology. Methods: This study aims to register the ethnotaxonomy of birds in the village of Pedra Branca, Santa Teresinha municipality, Bahia State, Brazil, by cataloguing and identifying their popular names, besides understanding the ethnoclassification system of local bird species. The ethno-ornithological data were obtained by means of semi-structured open interviews, and projective tests. Results: We interviewed 48 residents and, in order to identify species, we chose five informants with a more detailed knowledge on local avifauna. We registered 139 common names, distributed into 108 ethnospecies and 33 synonyms, referring to 117 species. Nomenclatural criteria more frequently used were vocalization and coloring patterns. Following Berlin’s principles of ethnobiological classification, three hierarchical levels were registered: life form, generic and specific, with three types of correspondence between Linnaean and folk classification systems. The bird life form (“pássaro” in Portuguese) was associated only to wild species. Conclusions: The ethno-ornithological research in Pedra Branca Village has contributed with new information on popular nomenclature of birds and their etymology, showing that folk knowledge on birds is conveyed within the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural manifestations, in many instances, are associated with ecosystems and therefore are inserted in the cosmology of many traditional communities thatdepend upon them. From the union among these representations and the empirical knowledge accumulated over years traditional management, systems have developed. This is a phenomenon also shown in mangroves, which are tropical and subtropical estuarine flooded areas with highly social and economic relevant and local peoples that survive directly from native resources. In human-nature interactions, the local belief system is to be discussed and taken into consideration in studies focusing on management and conservation of natural resources. The fieldwork was conducted among the months of September 2007 to October 2008, and the months of February, May and December 2009, when the seven monthly fishing communities located on the northern coast of Bahia visits were made. Data were collected taking into account a previous informed consent by means of open-endedinterviewswith the participation of 57 individuals, 48 men and 9 women, ranging from 10 to 78 years old. The ethnographic data were analyzed qualitatively, considering all the information cited by interviewees. In the cosmological universe of those respondents, it is evident the belief in three supernatural entities: Vó da Lua, Caipora and the Zumbi. These entities, according to testimonies collected, would play a role on mangrove conservation to expel people who exploit their resources irrationally, preserving it. It is clear, then, that the belief system associated to local cosmology plays a regulatory role in ecosystem dynamics and should therefore be used in the planning of traditional management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater crabs are important elements in the aquatic biota of brooks, rivers, lakes and ponds, from both ecological and the socio-economic aspects. Trichodactylidae comprises 51 endemic species from the Neotropical region. Among all the species of this family, Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828 has the widest geographic distribution throughout Brazil. Despite that, there are few published contributions on the biology of this species. The present study investigated the following aspects of T. fluviatilis: relative growth, mean size at onset of morphometric maturity, sexual dimorphism, laterality and heterochely. Specimens were collected monthly from September 2010 through August 2011, from the Velha Eugênia Brook, municipality of Santa Teresinha, State of Bahia. Carapace width (CW), carapace length (CL), major cheliped length (MaCL) and minor cheliped length (MiCL), major cheliped height (MaCH) and minor cheliped height (MiCH), and width of the fifth abdominal segment (5AB) were measured to evaluate the presence of sexual dimorphism; the major difference between the sexes was in the CW vs. 5AB ratio. Heterochely was observed in males and females, with the right cheliped larger than the left in 89% of males and 81% of females. Crab size at the onset of morphometric maturity (= puberty molt) was estimated based on the ratio between CL, cheliped dimensions, 5AB and CW (independent variable). Females were larger than males when they reached morphometric maturity in all studied relations. We recommend the use of chelipeds and abdominal width relationships to estimate the size at the morphometric maturity in males and females, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some birds make sounds melodious, which, culturally, are interpreted in different ways. Ornithoáugure defined as "vocalizations attributed to the power of natural occurrences foreshadow and / or supernatural." This paper records the ornitoáugures reportedly obtained from the residents of the village of Pedra Branca, Santa Teresinha / Bahia. Data were collected from august 2011 to december 2012 through semi-structured interviews conducted with 48 residents, of both genders, indicated that 19 species of birds whose vocalizations have different meanings: funereal, ominous, meteorological, societal and blissful. Speckled chachalaca (Ortalis guttata) was quoted as predicting rain and drought and laughing falcon (Herpetotheres cahinnans) was the most cited by residents as funereal and ornitoáugure meteoric, for possessing an interpretation augural voice translating as divination and death, depending on the branch on which hostel is, indicates rain. Smooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani) was considered ominous by having melodious whistle and sing near the house of a patient, announcing his death. As an example of corporate ornitoáugure, cite the hummingbird (Trochilidae) and great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) because their corners warn arrival of visitors. The hummingbird, for entering own behavior, "chirp" and out of the houses, was also classified as ornitoáugure blissful or baleful, meaning good news or bad. Thus, we observe the existence of affective interaction with residents of the local avifauna, within the perspective of transmutation zoosemiotics where they interpret the signals emitted by both the vocalization and by behavior, and rate them. Thus, residents have a significant etnoornitológico knowledge that is transmitted across generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Biota Neotropica is the property of Biota Neotropica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum: Human & Social Sciences is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper deals with the use of 180 animal species as medicinal resources in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. Data, which come from field works carried out in different indigenous, traditional, rural and urban communities within Bahia State, were gathered through the compilation of information available in scientific articles, monographs, theses, reports and presented papers. The animal-based folk medicines come from millipedes (0.5%), annelids (1.0%), amphibians (1.0%), arachnids (1.0%), echinoderms (1.5%), crustaceans (4.0%), molluscs (6.0%), reptiles (12.0%), birds (13.0%), fishes (17.0%), mammals (20.0%) and insects (23.0%). These bioresources provide about 300 raw materials, which are turned into medicines and prescribed to treat a wide range of locally diagnosed ailments. The result shows how important this ethnozoological phenomenon is, and indicates that traditional knowledge on zootherapy is to be seriously studied in order to lead to the discovery of new sources of drugs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report aims to give a contribution to cultural sustainability by emphasizing the traditional knowledge of artisanal fishermen from Siribinha, a fishing community located in the county of Conde, in the northern region of Bahia State, north-eastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out from March 1996 to March 1998 and included open and semi-structured interviews, tours guided by the fishermen, direct observations and collection of fish specimens. The study focused especially onthe folk taxonomy of fish and their spatiotemporal distribution and behaviour. The folk perception about the diminishing abundance of fishing resources has also been investigated. The consistence of traditional knowledge was observed through comparative cognitive tables. This research has shown that Siribinha fishermen's knowledge is a valuable resource, which is sufficient to be considered in the developmental processes and in studies of fish species management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fishermen's knowledge is a source of indispensable information in decision-making processes related to efforts to stimulate the management and conservation of fishing resources, especially in developing countries. This study analyzed the knowledge of fishermen from three municipal areas of Bahia in northeast Brazil regarding the behavior repertoire of sharks and the possible influence that these perceptions may have on the inclination to preserve these animals. This is a pioneering study on the ethnobiological aspects of elasmobranchs in Brazil., Methods: Open, semi-structured interviews with shark fishing specialists were conducted between September 2011 and October 2012. The interviews addressed the fishermen's profile, fishing techniques and knowledge about sharks, focusing on the behaviours exhibited by sharks. The data were analysed with quantitative approach and conducted with the use of descriptive statistical techniques., Results: Sixty-five fishermen were interviewed. They descend from the rafting subculture of Brazil's northeast, which has historically been disregarded by public policies addressing the management and conservation of fishing resources. The fishing fleet involved in shark fishing includes rafts, fishing boats and lobster boats equipped with fishing lines, gillnets, longlines and "esperas". The informers classified sharks' behaviour repertoire into 19 ethological categories, related especially to feeding, reproduction, and social and migratory behaviours. Because they identify sharks as predators, the detailed recognition of the behaviours exhibited is crucial both for an efficient catch and to avoid accidents. Therefore, this knowledge is doubly adaptive as it contributes to safer, more lucrative fishing. A feeling of respect for sharks predominates, since informers recognize the ecological role of these animals in marine ecosystems, attributing them the status of leader (or "the man") in the sea., Conclusions: This work demonstrates the complexity and robustness of artisanal fishermen's ichthyological knowledge of sharks. Therefore, we suggest that such knowledge should be considered to develop public policies for the control of the fishing activity, as well as to develop and consolidate the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Shark and Ray Species (PAN - Tubarões e Raias).

Background: This article records the traditional knowledge of crab gatherers in the city of Conde, in the North Coast Region of Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil., Methods: Data on biological and ecological aspects of economically important brachyuran crustaceans have been obtained from semi-structured interviews and in loco observations conducted from September 2007 to December 2009. A total of 57 fishermen of both genders, aged between 10 and 78 years have been interviewed (individually or collectively) in different contexts; interviewees were asked about aspects such as external morphology, life cycle, trophic ecology, and spatial and temporal distribution of the major economically important brachyuran crustaceans in the region. Seven fishing communities were visited: Siribinha, Sítio do Conde, Poças, Ilha das Ostras, Cobó, Buri and Sempre Viva. Data were analyzed by comparing the information provided by participants with those from the specialized academic literature., Results: The results show that artisanal fishermen have a wide ranging and well-grounded knowledge on the ecological and biological aspects of crustaceans. Crab gatherers of Conde know about growth and reproductive behavior of the animals they interact with, especially with regard to the three major biological aspects: "molt", "walking dance" and "spawning"., Conclusion: This knowledge constitutes an important source of information that should be considered in studies of management and sustainable use of fishery resources in the North Coast Region of Bahia State.