USO DE MAMÍFEROS SILVESTRES POR HABITANTES DEL PARQUE NACIONAL EL TEPOZTECO, MORELOS, MÉXICO.

The aim of this investigation is to analyse the traditional use that inhabitants of the National Park El Tepozteco give to wild mammals in the area. Several ethnozoological techniques were used, such as participant observation, structured questionnaires, thorough interviews and guided tours. The results indicate that the wild mammal hunting takes place all year long in the morning or at night, individually or collectively. Were identified 34 species distributed in seven orders, from them 17 species fall into a 'usage category' fulfilling needs such as meat, skin, claws, paws and fat. The families presenting the most species within a usage category are: Procyonidae, Mephitidae, Felidae y Sciuridae. Were recognized seven usage categories: food supply (58.8%), crafts (58.8%), medicine (23.5%), ornament (17.6%), pets (17.6%), mystical-religious (11.7%) and manure (5.8%). The mammals with a major value rate are: white-tailed deer (0.037), wild rabbit (0.022), badger (0.022), and racoon (0.022). The National Park El Tepozteco has social-environmental issues which stem from the impacts of economic policies on the natural resources and the development of indigenous and rural communities. However, the original inhabitants of the area still possess certain knowledge that translates into the traditional use of wild mammals, whose handling is determined by the already assigned usage categories. It is advisable to set up breeding farms or hatcheries for these multi-use mammal species in the National Park El Tepozteco, action that will also regulate and promote a better and integral handling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]