Abstract

CARR, JOHN L.; ALMENDARIZ, ANA; SIMMONS, JOHN E.  and  NIELSEN, MARK T.. SUBSISTENCE HUNTING FOR TURTLES IN NORTHWESTERN ECUADOR. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2014, vol.19, n.3, pp.401-413. ISSN 0120-548X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/abc.v19n3.42886.

We describe the subsistence exploitation of an entire turtle fauna in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador. We collected first-hand accounts and witnessed a number of capture techniques used by rural Afroecuadorian and Chachi inhabitants of the Cayapas-Santiago river basin. The diversity of techniques indicated a practical knowledge of the ecology of the species. Chelydra acutirostris, Kinosternon leucostomum, Rhinoclemmys annulata, melanosterna, and R. nasuta were captured and eaten. Poziando involved cleaning pools in a stream bed during the relatively dry season by removing live plants, organic detritus, and then seining with baskets; we observed R. melanosterna and K. leucostomum captured in this way. Pitfall traps baited with fruit were used to catch R. melanosterna during forays on land. Basket traps ("canasto tortuguero") with a wooden slat funnel across the opening are floated with balsa lashed to the sides. Banana or Xanthosoma leaf bait in the basket traps caught R. melanosterna, R. nasuta, and K. leucostomum. Marshy areas were probed for R. melanosterna and K. leucostomum. Direct capture by hand was also common. Turtles were relished as food items; all turtles captured were consumed, usually in soup or stew. Use of turtles for food in the region was pervasive, perhaps because fish and game populations were depleted.

Keywords : Afro-descendant; Afroecuadorian; Chachi; Chelydra acutirostris; ethnozoology; Kinosternon leucostomum; Rhinoclemmys annulata; Rhinoclemmys melanosterna; Rhinoclemmys nasuta.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )