Abstract Globally, bats are of interest in many studies, beyond their ecological or epidemiological relevance or even the ecomorphological diversity of species. In Brazil, most of the indexed studies on chiropterans date from 1954, with a slow and heterogeneous progress in the publication increasing. The aim of this study was to analyze the literature on bats in Brazil, identifying patterns, tendencies and knowledge gaps in the Brazilian federal states. We carried out a sistematyzed search on the online databases Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (WoS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed and Scopus. We used the descriptive terms “Chiroptera” and “Brazil”. Besides these bases, we included data from the manuscripts published in Chiroptera Neotropical. We obtained a total of 1,115 articles, which were analyzed and classified in 22 thematic categories based on the articles’ approach. We observed that each Brazilian region and state had particularities in their knowledge panoramas of bats, not being possible to generalize conditions for each federal region. Even though the increasing in the number of articles by categories, we encourage that every approach keep being developded, once no thematic could had been considered enough explored till the moment.

Resumo Nosso estudo avaliou a percepção dos pescadores (conhecimento ecológico local, CEL) em relação aos impactos ambientais sobre a pesca e peixes no trecho final do Submédio e Baixo São Francisco. O rio foi dividido em quatro áreas onde foram entrevistados 107 pescadores de 22 localidades (4 estados). Barragem foi o impacto mais significativo sobre a pesca. A perda da conectividade alterando a complexidade ambiental e seus efeitos secundários (e.g., controle da vazão, interrupção da rota migratória) foram fatores determinantes. Outros impactos foram apontados, como poluição, macrófitas, sobrepesca, espécies introduzidas e piscicultura. Dentre as espécies migradoras, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans e Salminus franciscanus estão ausentes da pesca há décadas. Os registros de Prochilodus argenteus nas pescarias provavelmente estão associados às rotas migratórias para pequenos tributários. A perturbação ambiental favoreceu o estabelecimento de espécies introduzidas como Oreochromis niloticus, Cichla monoculus e Metynnis lippincottianus ao longo do trecho estudado. No trecho final do rio São Francisco, a maior intrusão de água do mar mudou as espécies-alvo da pesca. Dessa forma, nossos dados validam a importância do conhecimento ecológico local dos pescadores e reforçam os efeitos adversos das cascatas de reservatórios sobre a pesca e peixes migratórios.

Abstract Our study assessed the fishers’ perception (local ecological knowledge, LEK) concerning environmental impacts on fisheries and fish species in the final portion of Sub-Middle and Lower São Francisco. The river was divided into four areas where 107 fishers from 22 locations (4 states) were surveyed. The dam was the most significant impact on fisheries. The loss of connectivity, changing the environmental complexity, and its secondary effects (e.g., flow control, interruption of migratory routes) were determining factors. Other impacts were pointed out, such as pollution, macrophytes, overfishing, non-native species, and aquaculture. Among migratory species, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and Salminus franciscanus have been absent from fishery catches for decades. Prochilodus argenteus records in fisheries are likely associated with migration routes to small tributaries. The environmental disturbance favored the establishment of non-native species such as Oreochromis niloticus, Cichla monoculus, and Metynnis lippincottianus along the studied section. Over the final portion of the São Francisco River, the more significant seawater intrusion changed the target species for fisheries activities. Thus, our data validate the importance of fishers’ LEK and reinforce the adverse effects of the reservoir cascade on fishing and migratory fishes.

Birds have been present in the life of humans, either as pets, food source, in folk medicine, as well as participants in the worldview of many human groups; thus, they are key elements of legends, myths and superstitions. In this study, we recorded the knowledge of the inhabitants of the town of Pedra Branca (Santa Teresinha, Bahia, northeastern Brazil) about the ecology of birds and their association with the etymology of common names. We recorded data through open, semi-structured interviews and projective tests. Forty eight people of different ages were interviewed. A total of 124 bird species were recorded. Common names adopted by the villagers were associated with the habitat, vocalization and foraging and reproductive behaviour of the species. Vocalization of birds were associated with local legends. In relation to reproductive aspects, we recorded information on sexual dimorphism, moult, reproductive season, parental care and nest construction. The inhabitants made reference to the main eating habits of the birds, identifying carnivorous, insectivorous, scavenger, granivorous, nectarivorous, fruit-eating, fish-eating and omnivorous species. The informants identified four environments for birds in the region: forests, capueras, wetlands and villages. The detailed knowledge of the interviewees on the ecology of birds and their relationship with the etymology of names, obtained by the transmission of knowledge and years of contact and observations, constitute important contributions to ethno-ornithology and ornithology.

Las aves han estado presentes en la vida del ser humano, ya sea como mascotas, fuente de alimento, en la medicina popular, así como participantes en la cosmovisión de muchos grupos humanos; así, son elementos clave de leyendas, mitos y supersticiones. En este estudio se registra el conocimiento de los habitantes del poblado de Pedra Branca (Santa Teresinha, Bahía, noreste de Brasil) acerca de la ecología de las aves y su asociación con la etimología de los nombres comunes. Se registraron los datos por medio de entrevistas abiertas, semiestructuradas y pruebas proyectivas. Se entrevistaron 48 personas de diferentes edades. Se registraron 124 especies de aves. Los nombres comunes adoptados por los pobladores estuvieron asociados con el hábitat, la vocalización y los comportamientos de alimentación y reproductivo de las especies. Las vocalizaciones de las aves estuvieron asociadas con leyendas locales. En relación a los aspectos reproductivos se registró información sobre dimorfismo sexual, muda, estación reproductiva, cuidado parental y construcción del nido. Los pobladores hicieron referencia a los principales hábitos alimenticios de las aves, identificándose especies carnívoras, insectívoras, carroñeras, granívoras, nectarívoras, frugívoras, piscívoras y omnívoras. Los informantes identificaron cuatro ambientes en los cuales las aves habitan en la región: bosques, capueras, humedales y poblados. El conocimiento detallado de los entrevistados sobre la ecología de las aves y su relación con la etimología de los nombres, obtenido por la transmisión de conocimientos y por años de contactos y observaciones, constituyen importantes contribuciones para la etno-ornitología y la ornitología.

Este artigo discute a construção sociocultural dos domínios 'inseto' e 'animal' pelos moradores do povoado de Pedra Branca (município de Santa Terezinha, Estado da Bahia, Brasil). O trabalho de campo foi realizado de setembro de 2006 a julho de 2007. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 74 indivíduos de ambos os gêneros, cujas idades variam de 4 a 89 anos. Os resultados mostram que os entrevistados não foram capazes de emitir uma definição segura para cada domínio. Dependendo de como um dado animal é culturalmente interpretado, ele poderá pertencer ao domínio semântico 'animal' ou 'inseto', sendo representante de um ou outro grupo. No entanto, na prática, a distinção entre esses dois domínios linguísticos parece algo ambíguo e tênue. Pesquisadores que realizam inventários de biodiversidade deveriam prestar atenção à etnocategoria 'inseto' durante seus estudos, especialmente se eles envolvem a participação de moradores de comunidades tradicionais

This article deals with the sociocultural construction of the 'insect' and 'animal' domains by the inhabitants of the county of Pedra Branca (municipality of Santa Terezinha, Bahia State, Brazil). The fieldwork was performed from September 2006 to July 2007. The data was obtained by means of open-ended interviews of 74 individuals of both genders whose ages ranged from 4 to 89 years old. The results show that the interviewees were unable to say in an accurate and secure way a specific definition for each domain. Depending on how a given animal is culturally interpreted, it could belong to the semantic domain 'animal' or 'insect', being representative of one or another group. However, in practice, such a distinction between these two semantic domains appears as something tenuous and ambiguous. Researchers who carry out biodiversity inventories should pay attention to the ethnocategory 'insect' during their studies, especially if these involve the participation of traditional community representatives

Este artículo registra las concepciones, los conocimientos y los comportamientos que los habitantes del poblado de Pedra Branca, en el estado de Bahía, poseen sobre los artrópodos de la clase Diplopoda. Los datos fueron obtenidos desde febrero hasta junio de 2005 a través de entrevistas abiertas y semiestructuradas realizadas con 28 individuos de ambos sexos, con edades que variaron de 13 a 86 años. Se registraron los conocimientos tradicionales relacionados con taxonomía, biología, hábitat, ecología, estacionalidad y comportamiento. Los resultados muestran que los diplópodos son clasificados como “insectos”. La característica de enrollar el cuerpo fue la más comentada, así como el hecho de que la mayoría de los individuos cree que estos animales son ponzoñosos. En general, el conocimiento zoológico tradicional que los pobladores de Pedra Branca tienen acerca de los diplópodos se mostró coherente con el conocimiento académico.

This paper deals with the conceptions, knowledge and attitudes of the inhabitants of the county of Pedra Branca, Bahia State, on the arthropods of the class Diplopoda. Data were collected from February to June 2005 by means of openended interviews carried out with 28 individuals, which ages ranged from 13 to 86 years old. It was recorded some traditional knowledge regarding the following items: taxonomy, biology, habitat, ecology, seasonality, and behavior. Results show that the diplopods are classified as “insects”. The characteristic of coiling the body was the most commented, as well as the fact that these animals are considered as “poisonous”. In general, the traditional zoological knowledge of Pedra Branca’s inhabitants concerning the diplopods is coherent with the academic knowledge.

Este artigo discute os significados semióticos atribuídos ao aparecimento e/ou comportamento dos insetos de acordo com o conhecimento etnoentomológico dos moradores do povoado de Pedra Branca, Bahia, Brasil. Dados foram obtidos entre fevereiro a maio de 2001 através de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e gravadas com 9 homens e 25 mulheres, cujas idades variaram de 19 a 82 anos. Os dados foram analisados pelo método do modelo de união, que considera toda informação disponível sobre o assunto pesquisado. Vinte tipos de insetos foram associados com acontecimentos bons e ruins, assim como a indicação de mudanças atmosféricas. O modo como os indivíduos percebem e interpretam o aparecimento e/ou comportamento de certas espécies de insetos depende da formação cultural de cada indivíduo. Foram registrados os seguintes significados semióticos: funesto, funéreo, ditoso, meteórico, societário, monetário e de abundância ou escassez. As crenças no poder augural dos insetos em Pedra Branca estão bem arraigadas na tradição local, sendo transmitidas de geração a geração pela via oral. Espera-se que as informações sejam levadas em consideração por pesquisadores interessados em estudos de conservação da entomofauna local e de etnobiologia.

This paper deals with the semiotic meanings which are given both to the appearance and/or behavior of insect species according to the ethnoentomological knowledge of the inhabitants of the village of Pedra Branca, Bahia State, Brazil. Data were collected from February to May 2001 by performing open-ended, recorded interviews with nine men and twenty-five women, whose ages ranged from 19 to 82 years old. Data were analyzed by using the union model, which involves considering all available information on the surveyed subject. Twelve kinds of insects were associated with both beneficial and harmful events, as well as with the indication of changing weather. The way local people perceive and interpret the appearance and/or behavior of certain species of insects depends on the cultural background of each inhabitant. The following semiotic meanings were recorded: fatal, funereal, auspicial, meteorological, societal, monetary, and of abundance or scarcity. The beliefs in the augural power of insects in the village of Pedra Branca are deep-rooted in the local tradition and are transmitted from generation to generation through oral culture. It is hoped that the data now available will be incorporated into a curriculum by those researchers interested in insect conservation and ethnobiology as well.

Os animais são utilizados como recursos medicinais para o tratamento e alívio de um gama de doenças e enfermidades em praticamente toda cultura humana. A pertinência da medicina tradicional baseada em animais, embora considerada como superstição, não deve ser negada uma vez que os animais têm sido testados metodicamente pelas companhias farmacêuticas como fontes de drogas para a ciência médica moderna. O fenômeno da zooterapia representa uma forte evidência do uso medicinal de recursos animais. De fato, as indústrias farmacêuticas e de agronegócios há décadas vêm avaliando animais sem pagar tributos aos países detentores desses recursos genéticos. A utilização de partes do corpo dos animais como remédios tradicionais é relevante porque implica pressão adicional sobre populações selvagens críticas. Discute-se que muitas espécies animais estão sendo exploradas em excesso como fontes de medicamentos para o comércio tradicional. Além disso, as populações animais ficaram exauridas ou ameaçadas como resultado do uso como objetos de experimentação ou modelos animais. A pesquisa sobre zooterapia deveria ser compatível com o bem-estar dos animais, assim como o uso dos produtos medicinais deveria ser guiado de modo sustentável. Sabe-se que a sustentabilidade deve ser tida como um princípio orientador para a conservação biológica.

Animals have been used as medicinal resources for the treatment and relieve of a myriad of illnesses and diseases in practically every human culture. Although considered by many as superstition, the pertinence of traditional medicine based on animals cannot be denied since they have been methodically tested by pharmaceutical companies as sources of drugs to the modern medical science. The phenomenon of zootherapy represents a strong evidence of the medicinal use of animal resources. Indeed, drug companies and agribusiness firms have been evaluating animals for decades without paying anything to the countries from where these genetic resources are found. The use of animals' body parts as folk medicines is relevant because it implies additional pressure over critical wild populations. It is argued that many animal species have been overexploited as sources of medicines for the traditional trade. Additionally, animal populations have become depleted or endangered as a result of their use as experimental subjects or animal models. Research on zootherapy should be compatible with the welfare of the medicinal animals, and the use of their by-products should be done in a sustainable way. It is discussed that sustainability is now required as the guiding principle for biological conservation.