Interciencia ISSN: 0378-1844 [email protected] Asociación Interciencia Venezuela

Docio, Loyana; Costa-Neto, Eraldo Medeiros; dos Santos Pinheiro, Ulisses; Schiavetti, Alexandre Folk classification of sea (Animalia, Porifera) by artisanal fishermen of a traditional fishing community at Camamu Bay, Bahia, Brazil Interciencia, vol. 38, núm. 1, enero, 2013, pp. 60-66 Asociación Interciencia Caracas, Venezuela

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How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Folk classification of sea sponges (Animalia, Porifera) by artisanal fishermen of a traditional fishing community at Camamu Bay, Bahia, Brazil

Loyana Docio, Eraldo Medeiros Costa-Neto, Ulisses dos Santos Pinheiro and Alexandre Schiavetti

SUMMARY

The folk classification of sea sponges by artisanal fishermen The results show that sea sponges are perceived as kinds of is presented by discussing how they recognize, label and clas- plants, and grouped together with cnidarians, ascidians and sify these marine organisms. Research was carried out in the algae within a broader ethnocategory labeled as ‘slime’. The county of Pontal do Contrato, at Camamu Bay, Bahia State, majority of the interviewees recognized poriferans through Brazil. Fieldwork was accomplished from January to May physical attributes such as color patterns, body shape and 2008 by means of open-ended interviews, projective tests and consistency. However, sea sponges are preferably named tak- direct observation, which were performed with 66 artisanal ing into account their color patterns. Studying the way people fishermen, both men and women, whose ages ranged from 18 recognize and classify sponges may assist wildlife inventories to 75 years old. The data were analyzed following Berlin’s and appropriate conservation strategies for possibly endan- principles of folk biological classification, as well as through gered species. Venn diagrams, ethnosemantic analyses and similarity indexes.

Introduction emblematic representations sidered to show some regu- al. (1973), the ethnobiologi- that are very important in larity in classification sys- cal taxonomy has a hierar- The vernacular names order to categorize them. tems (Greene, 2007). On chical character because the given to living organisms Such processes of categori- this assumption, Berlin et most exclusive categories are keys to access a great zation (cognitive categories) al. (1973) established three (ethnogenus or generic and amount of knowledge on are culturally influenced main areas of study in folk ethnospecies or specific) oc- those traditionally labeled and arranged in logical pat- biological systematics: clas- cur at the lower levels, beings (Daly, 1998). Hu- terns (taxonomic structures) sification, which refers to while more inclusive catego- mans interact with the liv- that can be different for ev- the set of principles by ries (for example, life forms) ing organisms present in ery human group (Hunn, which the classes of organ- occur at the higher levels. their surrounding environ- 1982; Hays, 1983; Atran, isms are naturally mind-or- Regarding catego- ments and inevitably group 1990; Berlin, 1992). ganized; nomenclature, rization by humans, ethno- or separate them according The human need to order which refers to the descrip- zoological classification sys- to their similarities and dif- and classify the universe is tion of the linguistic princi- tems are closely linked to ferences (Hartmann, 1967; a matter of survival, since ples of designation of the the way in which each cul- Berlin, 1973; Berlin et al., only through order someone organized classes of living ture, in its particular way, 1973; Brown and Chase, can comprehend, make ref- beings in a given language; thinks, feels and acts to- 1981). They consider not erence, insert and adapt and identity, which relates to wards the in their only the intrinsic and ex- himself to the world (Lévi- the physical characteristics environment (Santos-Fita and trinsic characters associated Strauss, 1989). Linguistic used to assign a particular Costa-Neto, 2009). Analytic to those plants and animals, expression patterns of a par- organism to a specific cate- tools provided by linguistics but, more significantly, the ticular ethnic group are con- gory. According to Berlin et permit to understand not

Keywords / Ethnospongiology / Ethnotaxonomy / Fishing Community / Sea Sponges / Traditional Knowledge / Received: 08/07/2012. Modified: 01/25/2013. Accepted: 01/28/2013.

Loyana Docio. Biologist, Master Eraldo Medeiros Costa-Neto. (UEFS), Brazil. e-mail: eral- buco (UFPE), Brazil. e-mail: of Science in Applied Zoology, Biologist, Master of Science in [email protected]. [email protected]. Universidade Estadual de San- Development and Environ- Ulisses dos Santos Pinheiro. Alexandre Schiavetti. Ecologist, ta Cruz (UESC), Brazil. Pro- ment, Univesidade Federal de Biologist, Master of Zoology, Master of Science in Environ- fessor, Universidade do Estado Alagoas (UFAL), Brazil. Ph.D. Universidade de São Paulo ment Engineering Sciences, da Bahia (UNEB), Brazil. Ad- in Ecology and Natural Re- (USP), Brazil. Ph.D. in Zool- USP, Brazil. PhD in Ecology dress: BR 242, Km 04, s/n - sources, Universidade Federal ogy, Universidade Federal do and Natural Resources, UFS- Loteamento Flamengo, Bar- de São Carlos (UFSCar), Bra- Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ/ Car, Brazil. Professor, UESC, reiras, Bahia, Brasil. e-mail: zil. Professor, Universidade MNRJ), Brazil. Professor, Uni- Brazil. e-mail: aleschi@hot- [email protected] Estadual de Feira de SAntana versidade Federal de Pernam- mail.com

60 0378-1844/13/01/060-07 $ 3.00/0 JAN 2013, VOL. 38 Nº 1 CLASIFICACIÓN POPULAR DE ESPONJAS MARINAS (ANIMALIA, PORIFERA) POR PESCADORES ARTESANALES DE LA COMUNIDAD DE BAÍA DE CAMAMU, BAHIA, BRASIL Loyana Docio, Eraldo Medeiros Costa-Neto, Ulisses dos Santos Pinheiro y Alexandre Schiavetti RESUMEN

Se estudió la clasificación popular de esponjas marinas por plantas y agrupadas junto con algas, cnidarios y ascidias en parte de pescadores artesanales. La investigación fue realizada una etnocategoría denominada limo. La mayoría de los entre- en la comunidad do Pontal do Contrato, Bahía de Camamú, vistados reconoce las esponjas con base en atributos físicos, Estado de Bahía, Brasil. El trabajo de campo se llevó a cabo tales como patrones de color, forma del cuerpo y consisten- entre enero y mayo de 2008, por medio de entrevistas abier- cia. No obstante, las esponjas son preferentemente nombradas tas, tests proyectivos y observación directa, que fueron reali- de acuerdo a su coloración. Estudios sobre cómo las perso- zadas a 66 pescadores artesanales con edades entre 18 y 75 nas reconocen y clasifican a las esponjas pueden ayudar en la años. Los datos fueron analizados considerando los principios elaboración de inventarios de la fauna y en la formulación de de clasificación propuestos por Berlin, además de diagramas estrategias adecuadas para la conservación de especies posi- de Venn, análise etnosemántico e índices de similaridad. Los blemente amenazadas. resultados muestran que las esponjas son percibidas como

CLASSIFICACIÓN POPULAR DE ESPONJAS MARINAS (ANIMALIA, PORIFERA) POR PESCADORES ARTESANALES DE LA COMUNIDAD DE BAÍA DE CAMAMU, BAHIA, BRASIL Loyana Docio, Eraldo Medeiros Costa-Neto, Ulisses dos Santos Pinheiro e Alexandre Schiavetti Resumo

O presente artigo trata da classificação popular de espon- e índices de similaridade. Os dados mostram que as esponjas jas marinhas feita por pescadores artesanais. A pesquisa foi são percebidas como plantas e agrupadas junto com algas, realizada na comunidade do Pontal do Contrato, na Baía de ascídias e cnidários em uma etnocategoria chamada limo. A Camamu, Estado da Bahia, Brasil. O trabalho de campo foi maioria dos entrevistados reconhece as esponjas com base realizado entre janeiro e maio de 2008, por meio de entrevis- em atributos físicos, como padrões de cor, forma do corpo e tas abertas, testes projetivos, e observações diretas, que foram consistência. No entanto, as esponjas são preferencialmente feitas com 66 pescadores artesanais, homens e mulheres com nomeadas devido à coloração. Estudos sobre como as pessoas idades entre 18 e 75 anos. Os dados foram analisados conside- reconhecem e classificam as esponjas podem auxiliar inventá- rando os princípios de classificação propostos por Berlin, bem rios faunísticos e estratégias de conservação adequadas para como através de diagramas de Venn, análises etnossemântica possíveis espécies ameaçadas.

only how each ethnozoologi- tionship (Viertler, 2002) be- 2005; Menegola et al. 2009; tion, classification and tradi- cal classification is built and tween what is thought (cog- Fernandez, 2011; Menegola tional use of sponges are still structured, but also the nition), what is spoken (a et al., 2011). However, rare (Svanberg, 2007). causes and consequences of word), and what is done (an Mothes et al. (2006) esti- This work describes the the perception, identification, action). Ethnotaxonomy can mate that hundreds of spe- folk classification of sea categorization and naming of be an indicator of this cog- cies are still to be discov- sponges, showing how arti- animals, both real and/or nitive-linguistic-behavioral ered in Brazil. sanal fishermen from Ca- mythological, that populate process (Couto, 2007). There are records of the mamu Bay, Brazil recog- the universe of ethnic Sea sponges (Porifera) are use of such primary metazo- nize, label, and classify groups all over the world. benthic animals and their ans for various purposes them. Since there is no re- Classification criteria are common names derive from from antiquity to modern search related to traditional somehow subjective, since it the porous material that con- times (Gliesh, 1940; Pronza- knowledge about this group is not a simple rational ac- stitutes their bodies. Over to, 1999, 2003; Müller et al., of animals in Brazil, this tivity, but rather expresses 10000 living species have 2004; Svanberg, 2007). For paper represents the first re- feelings and behaviors. already been described, example, in ancient Rome cord on Porifera ethnosci- Thus, perceptions, feelings which present a varied range women used to soak certain ence, thus beginning the (affective-emotional reac- in size, shape, color and sea species in milk ethnospongiological research tions) and attitudes (positive ecological habitats (Muricy and honey and give to their in the country. Ethnospongi- or negative) determine, ulti- and Hajdu, 2006). Only six children in order to calm ology refers here to the mately, the types of rela- species out of 393 which them, and they were also study of interactions be- tionships that humans main- inhabit Brazilian coast (Mu- used as objects of personal tween humans and sponges, tain with non-human ani- ricy et al. 2011) were re- hygiene by soldiers (Pronza- dealing with how individuals mals (Nolan et al., 2006). corded to Camamu Bay at to, 1999). However, system- perceive, classify and use There is, therefore, a rela- Bahia State (Peixinho et al., atic studies on the percep- these aquatic sessile animals.

JAN 2013, VOL. 38 Nº 1 61 Figure 1. Study area within the cir- cle on map.

Materials and Methods this’?’, which was asked when they were shown to Study area and data fresh collected and alcohol collection conserved sponge speci- mens, or even their photo- The study was carried out graphs. An Open and Clari- in the county of Pontal do fied Consent Form was Contrato, municipality of elaborated based on the Igrapiúna (13º49'35''S- Brazilian Health Council 39º08'32''W), at Camamu Resolution number Figure 2. Figures shown to interviewers in order to understand how Bay, south of Bahia State, 196/1996, which rules the they differentiate algae (seeweed) from palm (gorgonian corals) and Northeastern Brazil (Figure ethical aspects of the re- sea sponges. 1). The economy of the local search involving human be- inhabitants is mainly based ings. It was read to the on artisanal fishing and sub- dwellers and distributed ology and Ethnoecology Analyses of percentage sistence agriculture. Tourism among those who partici- Laboratory, Universidade proportion were made in this part of the bay is not pated in the study. The Estadual de Feira de Santana through the equation fully developed (Docio et al., main objectives of the re- (UEFS) for evidential pur- 2009). search were explained clear- poses. , Fieldwork was carried out ly at the beginning of each from January to May 2008, new interview and people Data analysis where p: proportion of cases totalizing 45 days living in were asked if they wanted in the sampling, X: number the county. The data were to participate (Azevedo and Data were analyzed quali- of cases, and n: sampling obtained based on usual eth- Gomes, 2002). The study quantitatively by following size (Vieira, 2003). nographic recordings by was approved by the Re- Berlin’s principles of folk In order to evaluate how means of tape-recorded, search Ethics Committee of biological classification (Ber- interviewers classified open-ended interviews, pro- the Universidade Estadual lin, 1973), as well as through sponge-like objects, accord- jective tests (dried sponges, de Santa Cruz (protocol the elaboration of Venn dia- ing to their perception, a some specimens conserved number 118/2007). grams and ethnosemantic pictorial questionnaire was in alcohol 80%, and photo- Six key interviewees were analysis (Berlin, 1992). Inter- made through which the six graphs were shown to infor- asked to make drawings of viewees’ responses were as- key informants had to iden- mants) and direct observa- what they know as sea sayed using the union model tify the name of the morpho- tions (French, 1963; Sturte- sponges in order to under- (Hays, 1976). According to logical parts of these objects vant, 1964). A total of 66 stand how they perceive this model, all available in- (Figure 2). They were algae, inhabitants, men (n= 44) and them and differentiate them formation on the surveyed sponges and gorgonian cor- women (n= 22), whose ages among the recognized types subject is to be considered. als. A total of 13 local terms ranged from 18 to 75 years within this ethnocategory. Controls were done both used to refer to body parties old were interviewed. This Some specimens were col- through consistency checking were recorded. Due to the sample represents 10% of lected and identified by spe- tests and reply validity tests, synonymization among some the total inhabitants (n= cialists; they are kept at the which make use of repeated of them, 11 features were 506) of the county. Most of collection of the Inverte- inquiries in synchronic and considered for similarity the interviewees did not brates Laboratory, Universi- diachronic conditions, re- analysis. The Jaccard’s index complete the elementary dade Federal de Pernambuco spectively. The former oc- of similarity was used as school (65%) and 74% of (Vouchers UFPE 691, 697, curred when the same ques- them have fishing activities 701, 702, 709, 715, 716, 717, tion was put to different as their only source of in- 719, 720, 721, 722, 724, 725, people soon after each other; come. 727). All ethnographic mate- the latter occurred when the where a: characters that oc- The dialogue with all par- rials (recordings, transcrip- same question was asked to cur in two elements; b: char- ticipants started with the tions, photographs and draw- the same person at different acters that occur only in the question ‘Do you know ings) are kept at the Ethnobi- times (Marques, 1991). first element; and c: charac-

62 JAN 2013, VOL. 38 Nº 1 According to the inhabit- the studied area, few of ants surveyed in this study, them are culturally recog- sea sponges and other sessile nized in order to receive marine organisms from dif- labeled binomial names. ferent taxa, such as cnidari- Two morphospecies have ans (subclasses Octocorallia been recognized to this lin- and Hexacorallia) and sea- guistic level according to weed, are grouped together three morphological charac- into a single semantic do- ters, which are body consis- main designated as ‘slime’ tency, color, and shape: due to their remarkable mor- ‘esponja-forro-de-tubatinga’ phological characters and the or tubatinga seabed sponge perception regarding their (Suberites sp1 and sp2.), ontogeny, morphology and and ‘bugaial-mole’ or soft ecological traits, mainly the bugaial (Desmapsamma an- habitat. Considering this, it chorata; Haliclona (Reniera) is quite possible that other manglaris Alcolado, 1984; marine organisms, such as Haliclona (Reniera) sp.; Figure 3. Some sponges detected by the interviewees. a: specimens used ascidians and bryozoans, also Haliclona sp.). Even variet- for interviews, b: red sponge or ‘cansanção’ (Tedania ignis), c: green may be included in the ies are known for these sponge (Haliclona manglaris), d: red sponge or soft red bugail (Des- ‘slime’ ethnocategory, since specifics: ‘esponja-forro-de- mapsamma anchorata). Bars: 2cm. one interviewee referred to tubatinga-claro’ or light the existence of ‘sponge that tubatinga seabed sponge squirt water’. However, (Suberites sp1.), ‘esponja- ters that occur only in the Out of 66 interviewees, 50 sponges do not squirt water, forro-de-tubatinda-escuro’ second element. The UPG- (76%) recognized and named this behavior being observed or dark tubatinga seabed MA algorithm was used. the sea sponges. Local names in Urochordata. Thus, it is sponge (Suberites sp2.), The data were analyzed by used to refer to these marine possible that other sessile ‘bugaial-mole-vermelho’ red the Past Statistical Program invertebrates are: ‘sponge’, marine organisms are soft bugaial (D. anchorata), version 2.3 (Hammer et al., ‘foam’, ‘stone foam’, ‘slime’, grouped together in the slime and ‘bugaial-mole-escuro’ 2010). ‘stone slime’, ‘soft slime’, ethnocategory. These differ- dark soft bugaial (Haliclo- ‘seaweed’, and ‘coral’. All of ent taxa are culturally na spp.). Results these terms are applied to all thought of and recognized as The species Tedania ignis, sponges indiscriminately, al- plant-like organisms. That is, locally known as red sponge, The diversity of sea spong- though most of the respon- people perceive all of them was readily recognized by es in the study area was re- dents (40% of the 50 inter- as kinds of the ocean flora respondents, due to its of- vealed in expressions such as viewees mentioned above) representatives. fensive capacity to harm ‘They are of various kinds”. have referred to these inver- During the first interview people through physical The differences between tebrates using the local term sessions, this classification touch. That is why it is also types of sponges, according sponge, as can be apreciated seemed somewhat complex popularly labeled as ‘cansan- to the respondents, are based in the following statements: but, gradually, the groupings ção’, a term which is used to on morphological criteria of were reveled, so that a set designate cnidarians and ter- consistency (porosity) and “....We know that as sponge. could be delineated with those restrial plants (stinging net- color. The character of shape It is like the fish, which elements. Firstly, the elements tle, Urticaceae) that cause a seems to be no use, since there are several types of are distinguished in their ani- burn sensation. Semantically, two local types of red spong- fish, are not there? All is mated state, if they are alive the term ‘cansanção’ is used es that were collected fish, and so all is sponge or not. Then they are classi- both to refer to sea sponges showed quite remarkable for us” fied according to morphologi- and sessile cnidarians (Fig- morphological differences: “....We do not have a defini- cal and ecological aspects. In ure 3b). Desmapsamma anchorata tion, a detailed name of the perception of respondents, According to Berlin (1992), Carter, 1882 is digitiform, them. Thus we call every- alive are considered the sea ethnosemantic analyses show while Tedania ignis Duchas- thing of sponge, which it water, the algae, the sponges, that all names given to sea saing & Michelotti, 1864 has could be anyone” and the soft and stony corals. sponges are primary lexemes, a massive body consistency “....There is not that (?), The soil of the sea is not which are divided into simple, (Figure 3b and d). Even this is such a sponge. Well, alive, as in the case of ‘tubat- productive and unproductive though sponges present dif- it is defined only by its col- inga’ (seabed with clay forma- lexemes. A simple lexeme ferent shapes (massive, or” (Mr. G., 41 years old). tion), nor is the ‘bugaial-duro’ does not allow to be decom- digitiform, encrustant, radial, (hard bugaial), which is an posed into smaller units, the and vase-shaped) and differ- The remaining 24% of the element of biogenic origin second type occurs when one ent body consistencies (rang- interviewees was composed and externally similar to dried of the constituents of each ing from rigid to soft), they by both residents who were sponges. Sun-dried sponges expression indicates a super- are locally labeled based ex- totally unaware of these ma- are called as gravel, along ordinate category (red sponge clusively on their external rine elements and those who with hard bugaial and dead is a kind of sponge), and the color, such as white sponge, reported having seen them stony corals. later do not allude to the su- black sponge, yellow sponge, but never minded to know Although there are differ- perordinate category; for ex- etc (Figure 3). what they were. ent sea sponge species in ample, hard bugaial do not

JAN 2013, VOL. 38 Nº 1 63 refer to a kind of Table I lect specimens of sea sponge but a Lexical analysis (according to Berlin et al., 1973) of marine objects lo- rock (Table I). the local names attributed to sea sponges by the inhabitants cally recognized as In order to know of Ilha do Contrato, municipality of Igrapiúna, Bahia State sponges. Surpris- the conceptual Primary lexemes ingly, all of those framework of each organisms were in- element that com- Simple Productive Unproductive deed sponges, of poses the slime Bucha (loofah) Bucha-do-mar (sea loofah) the following spe- ethnotaxonomic Bugaial Bugaial-mole (soft bugaial) Bugaial-duro (hard bugaial) cies: Callyspongia complex, some fig- Cansanção (stinging nettle) Bugaial-do-vermelho (red bugaial) (Callyspongia) sp., ures of slime’s rep- Esponja (sponge) Esponja-da-amarela (yellow sponge) Agelas sp., Tethya resentatives were Espuma (foam) Espuma-do-mar (sea foam) sp., Haliclona (Re- arranged in a sin- Limo (slime) Limo-mole (soft slime) niera) manglaris, gle white sheet for Haliclona (Reniera) experts to rate sp., Haliclona spp., their morphological parts Table II Aplysina fulva, Aplysina cauli- (Table II). Based on what Binary matrix of morphological characters formes, Darwinella sp., Suber- has been revealed through of seaweed, sea sponges, and corals ites sp1. Suberites sp2, Des- these drawings (Figures 2 Local names English Coral mapsamma anchorata, Tedania and 4), it can be stated (Portuguese) name (Octocorallia) Seaweed Sponge ignis. Even Xestospongia sp., that there are observable Raiz Root 1 1 0 that has a rigid conformation characters that are mutu- Folha Leaf 0 1 0 due to higher proportion of ally exclusive. Consider- Folha do coral Arborescence 1 1 0 spicules in its body, has been ing the presence and ab- Tronco Trunk 1 1 1 also grouped among the sence of these characters, Tecido da esponja Sponge tissue 0 0 1 sponges (Figure 4a). Thus, a dendrogram was made Caule Stem 0 1 0 Porifera seems to be the mem- in order to understand Ramos Twigs 0 1 1 ber of the ethnotaxon slime how individuals group Pequenos furos Sponge porocytes 1 0 1 that most differentiates itself together these organisms. Fruitas Fruits 0 1 0 from the other elements which There is a 40% of simi- Veia Vein 1 1 0 are also perceived and identi- larity of the characteris- Paliçada Axial skeleton 1 0 0 fied as slime, sharing fewer tics between the algae characters; but the main fea- and soft corals (Octo- ture presenting by sea sponges corallia), and only 22% of tem, and the pores of this branch and fruit, which are to be allowed in this ethno- similarity of sponges in rela- same system, respectively, present in the latter. However, taxon is the presence of pores, tion to these two other ele- would be the determinant sponges, algae and soft corals or ‘holes’ as the interviewees ments (Figure 5). Thus, ac- factors of exclusion from this share both ecological and have mentioned. cording to respondents, the group. However, according to morphological characteristics: Only one respondent drew feature that would be synapo- the interviewees’ statements, they were born in the stone varieties of the same sponge morphic for inclusion in the ecological, behavioral and (on the surface of rocks and morphotype, but he did not group of soft corals is the ontogenetic characters were or coral reef) and have a know their local names. Ac- presence of ‘palm fiber’ (or constantly mentioned when trunk, respectively. cording to him, these variet- palisade), whose morphologic talking about slime-origin During field excursions six ies were differentiated by equivalent is the axial skele- organisms: They are born informants were asked to col- color, yellow and light red; ton that keeps the shape and from the stone, are aquatic support in a soft coral colony and sessile. (Figure 4c). In sponges, the Moreover, the ‘palms’ (soft ‘sponge-type tissue’ and the corals, Octocorallia) differ presence of holes, whose from the algae based on the equivalent is the aquifer sys- presence of characters such as

Figure 4. Types of locally labeled sea sponges. a: drawing of a vase-shaped sponge, Figure 5. Dendrogram of the similarity between cnidarians, b: drawing made to explain varieties of sponges based on color and shape, c: gor- sea sponges and seaweed, using the Jaccard’s index of gonian corals locally known as palm. similarity and the UPGMA algorithm.

64 JAN 2013, VOL. 38 Nº 1 Greece with Aristotle (century III b.C.; Hooper and Soest, 2002). In this regard, the in- habitants of the county of Pontal do Contrato, perceiving sea sponges as plants, did nothing different than the sci- entific thinking before the end of the XVIII century. More- over, authors like Boster et al. (1986) have suggested that the similarities between folk and scientific classification may indicate a universal principle of classification, at the same time they reinforce the idea of the true existence of species.

Concluding remarks

Artisanal fishermen from the county of Pontal do Con- trato, at Camamu Bay, Bahia State, Brazil, have a direct Figure 6. Folk classification of Camamu Bay sea sponges according to Berlin (1992). contact with sea sponges of various types, shapes and col- ors, which are fished by trawl however they have the same to transmit knowledge about category ‘slime’. Moreover, nets. These fishermen consid- body shape and consistency them. the local knowledge on the er sponges as plants, along (Figure 4b). This informant Berlin (1973) claimed that components of the skeleton is with other marine organisms, collected the morphotype that the identification of animals absent, because fishermen do including algae. Therefore, it presents a yellow pale color- within the taxa included in not have the technological is possible that there is a ma- ation, which was identified as the specific ranking is due to, means to see them, as spic- rine botanical folk knowledge, Aplysina fulva (Pallas, 1977). in general, the high cultural ules of most species are mi- another ethnobiological area His statement shows the pos- significances they present, no croscopic. On the other hand, little explored. Moreover, sible existence of new spe- matter if these are of useful- these structures have been studies like this can help in cies sharing some characters ness, dangerousness or other. noticed as something causing conservation strategies, as among them. Thus, it is possible that fisher- an itch in some species. well as in other areas of sci- men from Pontal do Contrato As Berlin et al. (1973) stat- ence offering memes, places Discussion do recognize Tedania ignis ed, ethnobiological classifica- where organisms live, eco- due to its dangerousness. As tions that are in total accor- logical interactions, and how The slime ethnocategory is Haddad-Júnior (2003) men- dance with the scientific clas- they are used for cultural or equivalent to the Life Form tions, Tedania ignis is respon- sification are very rare, even medicinal purposes. ethnobiological rank accord- sible for many accidents in- if their hierarchical rankings ing to Berlin’s principles of volving fishermen and marine are equivalent. This occurs Acknowledgments ethnobiology classification. sciences students. due to the disagreements The slime-type organisms are Taxonomically, the main about how to characterize The authors thank the Con- then included in the Kingdom characters used for identifica- plants and animals among the selho Nacional de Desenvolvi- ethnobiological rank labeled tion of Porifera are: color, taxa by both classificatory mento Científico e Tecnológi- as ‘Plant’ (see Figure 6). In shape and body texture, shape systems. As an example, the co (CNPq) for the grant given general, folk classifications at of the openings of the exhal- present study shows that ani- both to the first and fourth a specific level are made ant and inhalant channels, mals are culturally perceived author. We are grateful to all based on the recognition of consistency, skeleton organi- and taken as plants. However, participants, without them this several characters (Berlin, zation, and types and sizes of the distinction between these study would not be possible. 1973). At first sight, this spicules (Mothes et al., 2006). knowledge systems is not ac- References statement would contrast with The respondents observed centuated, since science itself the classification of Porifera many of these traits, such as has also classified poriferans Atran S (1990) Cognitive Founda- in this study. Most of the in- the presence of holes (big or as plants for centuries. There tions of Natural History: oT- terviewees just use the color small), which were cited when was a time that sea sponges wards an Anthropology of Sci- pattern to classify and nomi- informants referred to the ma- were classified as an interme- ence. Cambridge University Press. London, RU. 372 pp. nate sea sponges, although terial a porifer is made of diate group, situated between Azevedo EES, Gomes MG (2002) they do recognize different (‘soaked small hole’). Indeed, plants and animals, the zoo- Pesquisas em seres humanos: shapes and consistencies. It this trait is the one that dif- phytes (Haeckel, 1879; Muri- aspectos éticos e situação do seems that coloration is the ferentiates sea sponges from cy and Hajdu, 2006). Histori- Brasil. Sitientibus 2: 91-96. most salient and easiest char- the other marine elements cal accounts show that this Berlin B (1973) Folk systematics in acter used by people in order grouped together in the ethno- debate had initiated in antique relation to biological classifica-

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