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Considered a widespread gamebird found across the northern Afrotropical region, the Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus is used in magical rituals and for traditional medicine in Africa. Although considered to be a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, loss of their habitat and hunting has caused them to be locally threatened. The aim of this ethno-ornithological study was to assess the utilization of Stone Partridge through surveys conducted in traditional communities. Some 384 people across 13 ethnic groups in Benin Republic were interviewed. Standardised ethnozoological indices were used to evaluate the importance of Stone Partridge as a source of food and a socio-cultural aspect in Benin per ethnic groups, gender and age class. Some 91.15% of respondents cited food as the major use category of Stone Partridge, followed by traditional medicinal and magical ritual. Responses varied by ethnic group and gender, but not age. Respondents reported that hunting is a major threat, leading to population declines. Stone Partridge plays an important role in rural communities in the study area, but a national conservation management strategy is lacking for this and other gamebird species. French title: Utilisation traditionnelle de la poule de rocher Ptilopachus petrosus au Benin: pratiques alimentaires et medico-magiques Consideree comme un oiseau gibier repandu dans la region afrotropicale du nord, la poule de rocher Ptilopachus petrosus est utilisee dans les rituels magiques et en medecine traditionnelle en Afrique. Bien que consideree comme une espece de preoccupation mineure par l’UICN, la perte de l’habitat et la chasse constituent les principaux facteurs de menace. Le, but de cette etude ethno-ornithologique est d’evaluer l’utilisation de la poule de rocher a travers des enquetes menees chez les populations locales. 384 personnes de 13 groupes ethniques de la Republique du Benin ont ete interrogees. Des indices ethnozoologiques ont ete utilises pour evaluer l’importance alimentaire et socioculturelle de l’espece par groupe ethnique, sexe et classe d’âge. 91,15% des repondants ont cite l’usage alimentaire comme la principale categorie d’utilisation de la poule de rocher, suivie des utilisations medico-magiques. Les reponses varient suivant le sexe et le groupe ethnique de l’espece mais pas selon l’âge. Les repondants ont indique que la chasse etait une menace majeure, entrainant un declin de la population. La poule de rocher joue un role important en milieu rural au Benin. Cependant, il n’existe aucune strategie de gestion de conservation pour cette espece au niveau national. Keywords: Benin, culture, gamebird, gibier, perceptions

BackgroundDespite the number of wild animals that are useful to the local population and have served as a basis for ethnozoological research in Benin, others such as Phacochoerus africanus and Potamochoerus porcus remain poorly documented according to their uses. They are already facing threats to their proper conservation in ecosystems where they are found in metapopulations as a result of the fragmentation effects. In this study, the ethnozoological knowledge of these suids in southern Benin was inventoried. MethodsTo achieve this objective, structured interviews were conducted with 138 people randomly selected in nine districts. The use values of these suids parts and the fidelity level were assessed through global ethnozoological value. Non-parametric tests were carried out to analyse the uses differences according to gender, age and ethnic group. Two Correspondence Analyses (PCA) were carried out to describe use categories within districts and ethnic groups. A Generalized Linear Model (GLMs) of binomial families was used to relate the suids practice hunting to districts and distance from the village. ResultsMore than two use categories (food, medicinal and magical) were identified for both species. With regard to the most commonly used parts, we have the mane, teeth, horns for the common warthog and the skull, teeth, nose and testicles for the red river hog. Ten illnesses were cited to be treated by their parts. Significant differences were observed between ethnic groups regarding the suids medicinal uses but not for gender. The ethnozoological use value of suids was almost similar for adults and the elderly. ConclusionStrong pressure continues to be exerted on these two suids and their habitats despite their high zootechnical potential compared to exotic pigs. After the creation of income-generating activities, future research needs to be carried out to evaluate their budgets activities, genetic study and diet through metabarcoding approaches to promote their domestication. This could help to capitalise data that can be used in breeding programmes in order to limit threats on the few species individuals found in the natural environment, as well as to participate in reintroductions if necessary.

Objectif : Au Bénin, Chrysophyllum albidum (Pomme Etoile Africaine ou Pomme Etoile Blanche), une espèce à usage multiple. Elle est menacée car son habitat est de plus en plus occupé par l’homme et aussi à cause du ramassage systématique de ses fruits pour la commercialisation. Cette étude est menée pour évaluer de façon quantitative les connaissances entre les différentes communautés sur l’utilisation de l’espèce.Méthodologie and résultats : Ainsi, une enquête ethnobotanique s’est intéressée à 331 personnes choisies de façon aléatoire et réparties en six groupes socio-culturels (Aizo, Goun, Fon, Nagot, Mina et Adja) suivant trois classes d’âges comportant les hommes (94%) et femmes (6%) dont la plupart est analphabète (96%). Cette étude a permis de recenser cinq utilisations de l’espèce. Les plus fortes valeurs d’utilisations sont obtenues au niveau des jeunes (vu = 10,35), chez les hommes (vu=9,91) et auprès des Goun et Nago (vu = 9,87 et 9,78). Pour l’ensemble, la valeur de diversité totale ainsi que celle d’équitabilité totale sont respectivement de 3,46 bits et 0,33. Ces valeurs indiquent donc une diversité de connaissances des populations sur les utilisations de l’espèce. Mais ces connaissances sont inégalement réparties au sein des groupes socio-culturels. Les hommes adultes Aizo détiennent plus de connaissances que les autres composantes des groupes socio-culturels.Conclusion et application des résultats : Les résultats obtenus constituent une source d’informations très précieuse pour le milieu d’étude et pour l’espèce ciblée. Ils pourraient être une base de données pour les recherches futures dans le domaine et pour C. albidum.Mots clés : Ethnobotanique quantitative, Chrysophyllum albidum, communautés locales, BéninABSTRACTObjective: Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) is a multiple purpose tree in Benin. It is threatened because its habitat is increasingly occupied by humans and because of the systematic collection of fruit to market. This study is conducted to assess quantitatively the knowledge between the different communities on the use of the species.Methodology and Results : Thus, an Ethnobotanical survey was carried out on 331 people selected randomly and divided into six socio-cultural groups according to three age-classes with women (6%) and men (94%) of which most were illiterate (96%). This study made it possible to count five uses of the species. The highest values of uses are obtained at the youth level (vu = 10.35), males (vu = 9, 91) and by Goun and Nago (vu = 9.87 and 9.78). All together, the value of total diversity as well as total eveness was 3.46 bits and 0.33 respectively. These values therefore indicate a diversity of knowledge by the population on the uses of the species. However, this knowledge was unevenly shared within the socio-cultural groups. Aizo adult males had more knowledge than the other components of the socio-cultural groups.Conclusion and application of result : The result are a very valuable source of information for the study of the environment and the target species. It could be a database for future research on C. albidum.Keywords: quantitative ethnobotany, Chrysophyllum albidum, local communities, Benin.

Objectif : Au Benin, Chrysophyllum albidum (Pomme Etoile Africaine ou Pomme Etoile Blanche), une espece a usage multiple. Elle est menacee car son habitat est de plus en plus occupe par l’homme et aussi a cause du ramassage systematique de ses fruits pour la commercialisation. Cette etude est menee pour evaluer de facon quantitative les connaissances entre les differentes communautes sur l’utilisation de l’espece. Methodologie and resultats : Ainsi, une enquete ethnobotanique s’est interessee a 331 personnes choisies de facon aleatoire et reparties en six groupes socio-culturels (Aizo, Goun, Fon, Nagot, Mina et Adja) suivant trois classes d’âges comportant les hommes (94%) et femmes (6%) dont la plupart est analphabete (96%). Cette etude a permis de recenser cinq utilisations de l’espece. Les plus fortes valeurs d’utilisations sont obtenues au niveau des jeunes (vu = 10,35), chez les hommes (vu=9,91) et aupres des Goun et Nago (vu = 9,87 et 9,78). Pour l’ensemble, la valeur de diversite totale ainsi que celle d’equitabilite totale sont respectivement de 3,46 bits et 0,33. Ces valeurs indiquent donc une diversite de connaissances des populations sur les utilisations de l’espece. Mais ces connaissances sont inegalement reparties au sein des groupes socio-culturels. Les hommes adultes Aizo detiennent plus de connaissances que les autres composantes des groupes socio-culturels. Conclusion et application des resultats : Les resultats obtenus constituent une source d’informations tres precieuse pour le milieu d’etude et pour l’espece ciblee. Ils pourraient etre une base de donnees pour les recherches futures dans le domaine et pour C. albidum. Mots cles : Ethnobotanique quantitative, Chrysophyllum albidum , communautes locales, Benin ABSTRACT Objective : Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) is a multiple purpose tree in Benin. It is threatened because its habitat is increasingly occupied by humans and because of the systematic collection of fruit to market. This study is conducted to assess quantitatively the knowledge between the different communities on the use of the species. Methodology and Results : Thus, an Ethnobotanical survey was carried out on 331 people selected randomly and divided into six socio-cultural groups according to three age-classes with women (6%) and men (94%) of which most were illiterate (96%). This study made it possible to count five uses of the species. The highest values of uses are obtained at the youth level (vu = 10.35), males (vu = 9, 91) and by Goun and Nago (vu = 9.87 and 9.78). All together, the value of total diversity as well as total eveness was 3.46 bits and 0.33 respectively. These values therefore indicate a diversity of knowledge by the population on the uses of the species. However, this knowledge was unevenly shared within the socio-cultural groups. Aizo adult males had more knowledge than the other components of the socio-cultural groups. Conclusion and application of result : The result are a very valuable source of information for the study of the environment and the target species. It could be a database for future research on C. albidum . Keywords : quantitative ethnobotany, Chrysophyllum albidum , local communities, Benin.

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