WILDLIFE REGISTERED IN TRADITIONAL FRUIT ORCHARDS IN YAUTEPEC, MORELOS, MEXICO

Abstract

Traditional fruit orchards are agroecosystems characterized by their rich flora, wildlife and domestic species that constitute reservoirs of production of ecosystem goods and services, therefore, their knowledge is fundamental for its regional function on biological and cultural diversity. The objective of this research was to record the wild and domestic fauna of cultural and ecological importance registered in traditional fruit orchards (TFO) of the Ixtlahuacán neighborhood, Yautepec, Morelos, Mexico. The methodology consisted on ethnobiological and ecological techniques, guided tours by 13 TFO and the application of 55 open interviews. To determine the cultural importance of the fauna, the Cultural Value Index (ICV) was calculated and random samplings were made to observe the faunal and floral composition from each orchard, with indirect and direct methods. There were 31 species of plants recorded in which the interviewees identified 60 species of wild vertebrates, 48% birds, 21% mammals, 22% reptiles and 9% amphibians. The values of use for the registered wildlife were: food (75%), pet (58%) and medicinal (33%). The species with the highest IIC were Ctenosaura pectinata and Didelphis virginiana. Glaucidium brasilianum, Tyto alba, Amazilia violiceps, Myiozetetes similis and Icterus pustulatus were classified as superstitious birds. The ecosystem services provided by the fauna based on the knowledge of the interviewees were: seed dispersers (42%), insect consumers and predation (37%), elimination of dead animals (8.3%) and pollinators (1.6%). The domestic fauna includes seven species, 57% mammals and 43% birds. Gallus gallus hen provides meat and eggs as a source of protein. The owners who have traditional fruit gardens in the neighborhood of Ixtlahuacán recognize the fauna that visits these agroecosystems, in addition to the goods and services that provide them, therefore, these production systems should be considered in state public policies as wildlife conservation areas.