Cultural importance, as a function of the use, of five Arthropoda species in Tlacuilotepec, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

The significance of natural resources depends on cultural and ecological factors. These kinds of studies are important in order to help preserve traditional knowledge. This research was focused on the cultural importance of five Arthropoda species (Diaethria candrena, Periplaneta sp, Scolopendra sp., Arsenura armida., Polistes sp.) used in the towns of Santa María and Tlacuilotepec, Puebla, Mexico. Semi-structured interviews were applied in 10 indigenous (Totonaco ethnic group) and 10 non-indigenous households at the municipality of Tlacuilotepec. The hypothesis tested was that the five species of Arthropoda had higher cultural importance in the Totonaca community (Santa María) than in the non-indigenous locality (Tlacuilotepec). The MERTL index was developed to quantify the cultural importance of Arthopoda. It was based on nine variables associated with the use. The results obtained with the MERTL index were analyzed by multivariate analysis (UPGMA, and PCA) in order to contrast knowledge patterns. In spite of the cultural differences, the results show that both communities shared common knowledge about these species, although there were differences with respect to the degree of use of the species. The MERTL index values were higher in the non-indigenous town. This suggests that Arthropoda are used more in the non-indigenous locality. The results do not agree with the initial hypothesis tested. Further research is required on the use and management of these resources in order to provide new medical and food alternatives and encourage the use of these resources in rural and urban villages.