101 

 (Myoprocta spp., 1:1.17, n = 13), while take by sex was equal for the capybara (Hydrochaeris 

 hydrochaeris, 1:1.00, n = 10). For Valley Bisa hunters pursuing large mammals in Zambia, Marks 

 (1973) reported that hunters took more males than females (47 vs. 32 individuals) and more adults than 

 subadults and young (79 vs. 11 individuals). As additional studies are completed, they likely will show 

 differences in rate of take by age and sex between species taken by subsistence hunters. 



Reproductive condition . Information on the reproductive condition of game is important in 

 assessing the impact of any hunter selection for particular age and sex classes of game (Redford and 

 Robinson, 1990). If gravid, lactating, or brooding females are taken by hunters, then an evaluation of 

 the total harvest must also consider the young that will die. 



At X-Hazil Sur, hunters harvested female mammals regardless of their reproductive condition. 

 While most female mammals were not gravid or lactating, three species had relatively large proportions 

 of females that were pregnant or caring for young: paca (40% gravid or lactating), agouti (32%), and 

 white-tailed deer (32%; Figure 3-1). These species were among the main game species by number of 

 individuals and total body mass (Table 3-1). 



Due to small sample sizes, it was not possible to assess the reproductive condition of female 

 game birds. The lack of developing eggs or a brood patch suggest that gravid or brooding females 

 rarely were taken by hunters. 



Little has been written about the reproductive condition of game animals taken by hunters in 

 the Neotropics. In Mexico, Lazcano-Barrero et al. (1988) reported that reptiles, especially turtles and 

 crocodiles, frequently are taken while guarding their nest. Also in Mexico, Santana et al. (1990) 

 reported that subsistence hunters at the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve refrained from hunting 

 during specific periods of time in order to avoid harvesting pregnant or nursing birds and mammals. 

 For lowland Peru, Bodmer (1989) reported that reproductively active ungulates frequently were 

 harvested by hunters, as follows; collared peccary (41% females taken were reproductively active), 

 white-lipped peccary (62%), red brocket deer (40%), grey brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira; 33%), 

 and lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris; 37%). Most likely subsistence hunters throughout the Neotropics 



