22 

 Peninsula differs from other areas in that species endemism and diversity are lower than in the rest of 

 the country. In addition, species distribution and abundance patterns for mammals and herps suggest 

 that taxa in the northern part of the peninsula should be grouped into the Yucatan Biotic Province, 

 while those in the southern part should be included with the Middle America taxa (Lee, 1980; Dowler 

 and Engstrom, 1988). 



Characteristics of Selected Mammals and Birds 



Human cultural traditions and the distribution and abundance of animals determine which 

 wildlife species are considered as game in an area and which are not. Manunals and birds were the 

 main taxa of interest in this study. Excluding bats, insectivores, small rodents, marine mammals, and 

 endemic species on offshore islands, there are about 40 species of mammals and 15 species of birds 

 that are potential game taxa for Maya Indians in Quintana Roo (Chavez Le6n, 1980, 1983; Gaumer, 

 1917; Leopold, 1972, 1977; Ramirez Pulido et al., 1982; Ramirez Pulido et al., 1983; Appendices A 

 and B). The following summary is based on the literature, my personal observations, and information 

 provided by Maya hunters. 



Marsupials were not taken as game by mestizos or Maya hunters but were killed as they 

 preyed upon chickens and ate pineapples (Ananas comosus) and other fruits in house gardens. These 

 animals were viewed as pests (M. Cab Cohuo, pers. comm.). 



Primates were not taken as game by Maya hunters in Quintana Roo, but in the past, adult 

 females occasionally were killed so that their young could be sold as pets, especially spider monkeys 

 {Ateles geoffroyi). Spider monkeys and howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) are uncommon in the forests 

 and rarely are taken by hunters (Navarro L. et al., 1990; Watts and Rico-Gray, 1987). These primates 

 reportedly were much more abundant and widespread in the past (J. Poot Cruz, pers. comm.). 



Edentates were not taken as game. Armadillo (Dasypiis novemcinctus) meat, although 

 regularly consumed by several other indigenous groups in the Neotropics (Redford and Robinson, 

 1987), was not consumed by the Maya because it contained muscle tumors. Hunters reported that their 



