149 

 Methods 

 Study Area 



The study took place at Ejido X-Hazil y Anexos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, during 1989-1990 

 (total area = 552.95 km^; Figure 2-1). Crop consumption data were obtained from game taken by 

 residents at the village of X-Hazil Sur (19°23'30"N, 88°05'00"W; population = 1,040), the largest of 

 three villages on the ejido (total population = 1,680). The mean annual temperature is about 26°C and 

 the area typically has one dry season (December-May) and one wet season (June-November). Rainfall 

 during 1 January-12 December 1990 was 1,277.3 mm (Figure 2-4). About 88.52% of the ejido was 

 categorized as Late Secondary Forest, 6.07% as Plots & Gardens, 5.18% as Early Secondary Forest, 

 and 0.23% as Other (Table 2-3). Since about 1915 the area has been occupied by Maya Indians, 

 whose main subsistence activity has been shifting cultivation, primarily com. Prior to 1915, Maya 

 Indians did not occur in the area. 



Collection and Measurement of Stomach Contents 



The results of this chapter were based on stomach contents obtained from freshly killed game 

 taken by hunters for subsistence purposes at X-Hazil Sur during June 1989-October 1990. Each 

 reported game kill was measured and weighed, stomach contents were collected, and the hunter was 

 interviewed regarding the particulars of the hunt (see Chapter 3). For mammals, the term stomach 

 contents is taken to mean the contents of the stomach proper, while for birds this term includes the 

 contents of the esophagus, crop, proventriculus, and gizzard. 



For each stomach sample, including parasites and digestive juices, the total wet volume of the 

 material was measured using a beaker, small syringe, graduated cylinder, or calibrated plastic bucket. 

 For small quantities, ^ about 100 ml, the volume was measured to within 1 ml. For large quantities, 

 ^ about 500 ml, the volume was measured to within 50-100 ml, depending upon the total volume of 

 the specimen. After the total volume of the stomach sample was determined, the contents were washed 

 with water in a food strainer (mesh size about 1 mm) to remove the digestive juices and fine food 



