A ETNOECOLOGIA DOS TATUS-PEBA (Euphractus sexcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) E TATU VERDADEIRO (Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758) NA PERSPECTIVA DOS POVOS DO SEMIÁRIDO PARAIBANO.

Abstract

This study addressed to obtain general information from the residents of five municipalities in the semi-arid region of Paraiba State (Campina Grande, Monteiro, São Mamede, Sousa, Sumé) about their knowledge on the ecological and behavioral (feeding, reproduction, habitat, predation and use) of two specimens of armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) and (Dasypus novemcinctus) that occurs in that area, as well as to describe and analyze the cinegetic activities and purposes of game hunting carried on these two species, seeking support conservation and management measures. Data collection was obtained through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Among the qualitative methods: free interviews, semi-structured interviews, snow ball technique and guided tours were used; the quantitative data were done on simple averages and percentages in Microsoft ® Excel software and analyzed using the calculation of Fidelity Level (FL). Data were analyzed by an emic/ethics approach in which traditional knowledge were compared with those involved and/or related to the literature. 177 men and 37 women were contacted, whose ages ranged from 16 to 77 years. The results showed that the information regarding the foraging, ecological niche and reproduction were described in a very elucidating way by most of the interviewees, demonstrating a deep knowledge and perception on the ecology and biology of the two species of armadillos studied. Such levels of perception are directly linked to regional and cultural issues of each locality and the practices of creation of those animals in captivity also. The main hunting techniques and capture of those animals were: firearms, with dogs, the use of wire-dog and bucket with water. The people of the semi-arid of Paraiba use the E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus such in the local gastronomy, as for medicinal and magical-religious purposes, which were documented in this work for the treatment of 10 conditions or diseases: asthma, earache, wounds, furunculosis, deafness, blocked nose, insect bites, rheumatism, and varicose veins and warts. The practice of recreational and commercial hunting was documented in this research by the residents of the studied localities. From a conservation perspective, the techniques and methods of game described in this work can bring major impacts on population dynamics of these two species of armadillos. Additional studies on the activities of hunting will be useful to contribute to proposals for rules and laws that may regulate the controlled hunting in each region and for implementation of management plans and sustainable use of these species.