Ethnozoological Documentation of Traditional Vertebrate-Based Practices in the Mountainous Regions of Eastern Anatolia from Erzurum, Ardahan, Iğdır, and Kars (Turkey)

Abstract

Karakaya S, Kimişoğlu Z, İncekara Ü, Polat A, Sümbüllü YZ, Aksakal Ö. 2025. Ethnozoological documentation of traditional vertebrate-based practices in the mountainous regions of Eastern Anatolia from Erzurum, Ardahan, Iğdır, and Kars (Turkey). Asian J Ethnobiol 8: 57-78. The mountainous and moorland regions of Eastern Anatolia, particularly Erzurum, Ardahan, Iğdır, and Kars, harbor a wealth of traditional knowledge regarding the medicinal and cultural use of vertebrate species. This study aims to document and analyze local ethnozoological practices, emphasizing the cultural significance of vertebrates in traditional healthcare systems shaped by Turkey's diverse ecological and socio-cultural landscape. Between 2017 and 2021, an ethnobiological field survey was conducted across 180 villages (Erzurum: 60, Ardahan: 40, Iğdır: 30, Kars: 50), involving 600 participants, including traditional healers and knowledgeable community members. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires, informal interviews, and participant observations and analyzed using the Fidelity Level (FL) index. A total of 28 vertebrate species from 26 genera and 23 families were recorded, yielding 249 distinct applications. These uses were categorized into culturally embedded domains: human medicine (135 uses), utilitarian practices (81), veterinary treatments (24), and plant-based remedies for animal health (9), reflecting the interwoven nature of cultural and medicinal knowledge systems. Notably, nine species exhibited high consensus in use, with FL values ranging from 94 to 98%. These results underscore the enduring relevance of animal-based remedies and the integration of zoological knowledge into local health traditions. By situating the findings within a broader ethnobiological framework, this study contributes to global discussions on biocultural heritage preservation. It supports the call for biodiversity conservation strategies informed by indigenous knowledge systems. © 2025, Smujo International. All rights reserved.