Folklore and traditional ecological knowledge of geckos in Southern Portugal: implications for conservation and science

Abstract

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and folklore are repositories of large amounts of information about the natural world. Ideas, perceptions and empirical data held by human communities regarding local species are important sources which enable new scientific discoveries to be made, as well as offering the potential to solve a number of conservation problems. We documented the gecko-related folklore and TEK of the people of southern Portugal, with the particular aim of understanding the main ideas relating to gecko biology and ecology. Our results suggest that local knowledge of gecko ecology and biology is both accurate and relevant. As a result of information provided by local inhabitants, knowledge of the current geographic distribution of Hemidactylus turcicus was expanded, with its presence reported in nine new locations. It was also discovered that locals still have some misconceptions of geckos as poisonous and carriers of dermatological diseases. The presence of these ideas has led the population to a fear of and aversion to geckos, resulting in direct persecution being one of the major conservation problems facing these animals. It is essential, from both a scientific and conservationist perspective, to understand the knowledge and perceptions that people have towards the animals, since, only then, may hitherto unrecognized pertinent information and conservation problems be detected and resolved.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Europe: Status Quo and Insights for the Environmental Policy Agenda

“…For example, traditional folklore depicting a gecko species as poisonous may actually work against regional conservation efforts, as the local population motivated by this prejudice might eradicate the gecko on a large scale. 135 Previous research has suggested that TEK can be critical to the survival and well-being of traditional societies worldwide. 136 Although there is scant evidence about such contributions in developed countries, the number of studies based on them is steadily increasing.…”

Human attitudes towards herpetofauna: The influence of folklore and negative values on the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Portugal

“…In Portugal, there are a large number of such folklore tales about reptiles and amphibians [22,24,35,36], mostly depicting reptiles and amphibians as evil and dangerous animals. These types of misconceptions are just more ideas to add to the vast list of erroneous ideas and negative values about reptiles and amphibians.…”

Integrating traditional knowledge when it appears to conflict with conservation: lessons from the discovery and protection of sitatunga in Ghana

“…In contrast, it is less clear how cultural traditions might aid conservation when they conflict with conservation. In Portugal, for example, the nationally vulnerable Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is persecuted because folklore links it with disease (Ceríaco et al 2011); in Cambodia internationally endangered birds, such as yellowbreasted bunting (Emberiza aureola; http://www.iucnredlist.org/ details/22720966/0) are captured for merit release (Gilbert et al 2012); and in Madagascar, near threatened (http://www. iucnredlist.org/details/6302/0) aye aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) are killed because these lemurs are considered harbingers of death (Simons and Meyers 2001).…”