ETHNOMICOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITIES IN THE VICINITY OF PEDRA TAHADA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE, ALAGOAS, BRASIL

Abstract

Ethnomycological studies on Brazilian communities are scarce, almost all focused on Amazonian natives. The present work aimed to access the extent of ethnomicological knowledge in nine northeastern communities established in the vicinity of the Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve - RBTP (Quebrangulo, Alagoas State, Brazil). A semi-structured form, a photo album and fresh samples macrofungi were used during the interviews of 61 individuals (59% men; 41% women, 18 to 81 years old), most of them farmers (70%) with low level of education. Almost all (97%) recognized the macrofungi and most cited their popular names, based on morphological characters, associated with the environment where they occur (onion-of-the-forest, dung-mushroom, wood-ear) or the properties attributed to them (good and evil mushrooms). They perceive the relationship of these organisms with the environment and the influence of climatic factors on their sporulation. Teas prepared with basidiomycetes were indicated for the treatment of cancer treatment (Fomes fasciatus) and asthma (Ganoderma australe); two unidentified species were indicated for the treatment of respiratory problems. Cookeina tricholoma (Ascomycota) was referred as edible by an elderly former hunter. Ludical use has been reported for a species of Geastrum (Basidiomycota). Although not considered mycophiles, the interviewees perceive macrofungi as important elements in their environment.

KEYWORDS: Atlantic forest, Ethnobiology, Ethnomicology, Macrofungi, Mycology