Contribution to the conservation of fauna of medicinal interest in the Salinas Grandes de Córdoba region (Argentina)

Abstract

Animals and products derived from their organs have been part of the inventory of medicinal substances used in various cultures since ancient times. Recent research has highlighted the relationship between traditional medicine and biodiversity, showing a growing unsustainable use, commercialization and exploitation, and increasing the extractivism of wild species, especially those that are endangered. We propose to characterize the animal pharmacopoeia of the rural population of the Salinas Grandes region, Córdoba, Argentina, pointing out contributions for conservation. Specialists and practitioners of domestic medicine were selected by intentional sampling and by snowball technique, applying open and semi-structured interviews, previously obtaining a verbal consent. A total of 45 medicinal uses were recorded, corresponding to 19 species belonging to 16 zoological families. The most used classes of animals are Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia, while Insecta are underused. The most frequently used parts of the animal pharmacopoeia are fats; external uses such as topicals and frictions and massages, and direct applications are the most common forms of application and preparation. The most commonly treated conditions are earaches, followed by respiratory conditions. The species with the highest number of applications were Salvator merianae and Boa constrictor occidentalis. A considerable proportion of the animals described in this work are on the IUCN red list of species, implying some concern for conservation: there are species that are almost threatened and with decreasing populations (Rhea americana, Tolypeutes matacus). A good part of them are obtained from hunting activities, are wild and are protected by law. Despite this, the commercialization of medicinal animal products is not common in Salinas Grandes, which suggests that their use is mainly local, and their use is sustainable.