Ethnopharmacological communicationFolk medicinal use of fauna in Mapimi, Durango, México

Aim of the studyTo document the use of animal species in traditional medicine from the municipality of Mapimi, Durango, México.Materials and methodsDirect interviews were performed in several short visits with inhabitants from the municipality of Mapimi, Durango. The interviews were analyzed with two quantitative tools. The informant consensus factor that estimates the level of agreement between interviewees over which animals to use for each category and the fidelity level which indicates the percentage of informants claiming the use of a certain animal species for the same medicinal purpose.ResultsA total of 18 animal species, belonging to 17 families and four taxonomic categories, were reported by interviewees as used for medicinal purposes. Thirteen medicinal species were identified not previously reported. The results of the informant consensus factor showed that the dermatological, diabetes and reproductive categories had the greatest agreement. The most important species according to their fidelity level are: Mephitis macroura and Crotalus atrox.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that many animal species play an important role in healing practices among inhabitants from Mapimi, Durango. Further experiments with medicinal fauna from Mapimi are needed to be carried out to obtain experimental information about their traditional uses, especially with C. atrox.

This study demonstrates that many animal species play an important role in healing practices among inhabitants from Mapimi, Durango, México. We found 18 animal species reported by interviewees as used for medicinal purposes. Thirteen medicinal species were identified not previously reported.98