Knowledge and interactions of the local community with the herpetofauna in the forest reserve of Quinini (Tibacuy, Cundinamarca)

Abstract

BackgroundThe study of human-nature relationship has made possible to understand the life dynamics of the communities and the biodiversity with which cohabits. Although ethnobiological studies have been rise over the last decade, little is known about human interaction with herpetofauna in South America and in Colombia. In this work, we analyzed the knowledge, perception, and interaction of a local community located in the forest reserve of Quinini (RFPCQ) in Cundinamarca (Colombia), with respect to the herpetofauna that inhabits the area. MethodsWe performed semi-structured surveys containing 30 questions categorized into three groups: academic knowledge (1), use and cultural beliefs (2) and interaction and perception (3) related to the herpetofauna that occurs in the region. For the obtained data in question groups 1 and 2, an analysis and classification of the answers in percentages were made. For the question group 3, we assigned the answers with a hostility value according to the possible reaction of each individual interviewed in a hypothetical encounter with the herpetofauna, and performed a Multivariate Ordinal Logistic Regression test (MOLR), in order to know if the positive or negative reactions could be predicted by demographic variables. ResultsThe community recognized the presence of amphibians and reptiles that cohabit their space, as well as their potential habitats. In addition, the role of herpetofauna was recognized in the magical/religious traditions for some inhabitants of the region, mainly associated with the fate and cure of chronic diseases. In general, the perception of amphibians and reptiles varied according to the origin and gender of the people, tend to have a more positive perception about reptiles than amphibians in most cases. ConclusionsAlthough there was a general lack of knowledge on the part of the inhabitants of the RFPCQ about the biological and ecological aspects of herpetofauna, the population recognized the basic information about the habitats of these animals within the area of the reserve. There is a wide variety of uses of amphibians and reptiles in traditional medicine. Greater efforts should be made in the transmission and dissemination of knowledge about the ecological functions of herpetofauna.