Perception and Uses of Primates Among Popoluca Indigenous People in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

Studying the relationship between culture, perception, and use of biodiversity allows understanding the reasons why people exercise an impact on other species and generates information to create culturally relevant conservation proposals. In this study, we applied a qualitative approach to understand the cultural aspects, perception, and use of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata mexicana) and spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus) by the Popoluca indigenous people in two localities (Los Mangos and Piedra Labrada) in the region of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. We carried an ethnographic research conducting 46 semi-structured interviews (23 in each community). The findings suggest that howler monkeys are widely known in myths and popular beliefs. Spider monkeys have traditionally been used as medicine and pets and not as food or for economic purposes. Both species evoke positive emotions, and all the interviewees are interested in their conservation so that their children and future generations can “enjoy” them. People perceive that the main threat to primates is cattle ranching. Also, they believe that howler monkeys are more abundant than spider monkeys. These results can be used to promote regional primate conservation.