Ethnobiology Letters

In Dire Straits: The Resurrection and Extraction of the Dire Wolf, and the Current Colonial Basis of De-extinction Science

2026-04-13T18:21:38-07:00

In April of 2025, the for-profit biotech company Colossal Biosciences garnered mass media attention by announcing they had “de-extincted” the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) with the use of CRISPR gene-editing technology. Colossal and others heralded it as the future of endangered species conservation. In response, many in the larger scientific and conservation communities qualified or dismissed the claims to de-extinction based on sound genomic, phylogenetic, and taxonomic evidence. This debate, however, has occurred almost entirely within the confines of Western science and epistemology. We expand these critiques by highlighting the colonial, eugenic, and anthropocentric ideologies prevalent in Colossal’s approach to de-extinction, exemplified by what we call a “colonial grabbag” mythological framing of wolves. We argue that this is reflective of the larger colonial basis of current de-extinction science. Grounded in the fields of Indigenous Science and Animal Studies, we invite further reflection on the strategic, ethical, and moral considerations of de-extinction. Rather than arguing that such technologies and aims should be categorically rejected, we offer recommendations toward an anti-colonial and anti-anthropocentric science of de-extinction that is based in equity, reciprocity, and collective social good. We propose 1) a shift away from the isolationist approach that “resurrects” a species without regard for the larger ecosystem in which they existed in favor of a holistic ecology; 2) focusing the tools of de-extinction on currently threatened and endangered species and ecosystems; and 3) centering Indigenous Science and place-based knowledges by practicing transparent and sustained consultation and collaboration with Indigenous Nations.

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) and Traditional Knowledge in Brazil: An Ethnoentomological Analysis of Common Nomenclature

2026-03-04T07:33:21-08:00

Butterflies, in addition to their ecological relevance, play important symbolic and cultural roles in many societies. This study aimed to analyze the diversity of common names attributed to butterflies in Brazil, based on a systematic literature review (following the PRISMA method), including sources such as scientific articles, books, and field guides. A total of 189 scientific species names were recorded, belonging to five taxonomic families, and associated with 111 distinct common names. The family Nymphalidae presented the highest number of records, indicating a morphologically diverse and culturally recognized group. The common names were classified into interpretive categories, with morphological designations being the most common, followed by behavioral, ecological, and symbolic associations. The analysis shows that common names reflect local knowledge grounded in empirical observation and symbolic meaning, contributing significantly to ecological understanding and the appreciation of biodiversity. This study highlights the role of ethnoentomology as an interdisciplinary approach that values local knowledge and enhances the understanding of human-insect relationships, recommending its broader application in related research.

Potential Interpersonal Applications of Cacao: A Review and Call for Further Research

2026-03-21T08:15:19-07:00

This paper takes an ethnobiological approach to investigate historic and contemporary uses of cacao and its potential interpersonal applications. A literature review summarized past research conducted about the health benefits of cacao, Indigenous and ritual plant uses, and psychoactive effects. Minimal research has been completed on the interpersonal implications of cacao consumption. People globally who facilitate and attend cacao ceremonies claim that cacao's psychoactive effects lead, in many users, to euphoria and emotional openness. They assert that these effects make cacao an excellent addition to reflection and connection-building activities done in cacao ceremonies; however, claims need to be researched and field-tested. Surveys were conducted with eleven cacao ceremony practitioners, who shared their insights into cacao’s effects on participants. Cacao use and potential cultural appropriation were analyzed, as well as popular claims about the effects of chemical compounds in cacao. Additional research is needed to further explore the potential interpersonal effects of cacao use. If validated, cacao could prove to be a useful complement to a range of interpersonal activities, from corporate team building to community building, to applications for romantic relationships or even therapy.

Caspian Tigers and Loptuq Activity Contexts in Eastern Turkestan

2026-04-11T12:21:35-07:00

Until a hundred years ago, Caspian tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) shared habitat with the Loptuq people who lived along the Tarim River, and lake Lop Nur in Eastern Turkestan. Although their paths crossed, humans and tigers avoided each other and did not compete for resources; only occasionally did a tiger kill cattle and horses or humans kill a tiger. The tigers fed mainly on wild boar (Sus scrofa nigripes) while the Loptuq, for religious reasons, rejected it as food. Intensified contacts with the outside world at the end of the nineteenth century changed this situation. Tiger parts, for medicinal purposes, were in high demand among itinerant peddlers, and the state authorities required furs as tribute, causing some Loptuq men to hunt tigers on a larger scale. The Caspian tiger became extinct in the Tarim Basin, most likely in the 1920s, and during the following decades, it disappeared completely throughout its former range in Central Asia. In the mid-twentieth century, ecological and hydrological changes implemented by the Chinese government destroyed the unique fishing and gathering economy of the Loptuq, and the whole group was displaced and forcibly assimilated. Fragmented information about the activity contexts between the Loptuq and Caspian tigers exist now only in older sources and scholarly publications, which are reviewed here.

Turtle Hunting by the Tharu Tribes: An Ethnozoological Case Study

2026-04-13T06:31:33-07:00

The Tharus are a prominent group of tribes who have lived in the Tarai belt of Nepal and India for centuries, relying on the forest for their survival. This ethnozoological study focuses on turtle collection and consumption by the Tharu community in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, discussing the distribution and abundance of turtle species and this community’s unique spearing method of turtle hunting. In this study, Tharu turtle hunters were hired to collect living specimens using the spearing method from nine locations, and interviews were conducted with local community members. Twenty-three living turtle specimens from three species were recorded, and an additional 81 shells were recovered from Tharu households. The Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata andersoni; Tharu: Gauriya Kachhuwa) was the most abundantly distributed species in the district. The survey of shells in households revealed that all specimens were Indian flapshell, while the two other specimens were Indian peacock softshell turtle (Nilssonia hurrum; Tharu: Supahawa kachhuwa) and Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta; Tharu: Khapadahawa kachhuwa). During interviews all interlocutors described eating Gauriya kachhuwa and avoiding other land turtles for consumption. Spearing is used to hunt turtles, and it is utilized in marshes, ponds, and lakes. These reptiles are killed for their meat and for medicinal uses, and the community reports that a decline in the turtle populations has been observed near Tharu settlements. Therefore, we argue that an escalation of public awareness and policy advocacy is essential, particularly in rural areas where Tharu communities live, to ensure the survival of these reptiles in the face of mounting anthropogenic challenges.