Ethnozoology of Hydrobiological Resources in Mesoamerica: A Historical-Cultural Study from the Pre-Columbian Era to the Present

Abstract

This study analyzes the use and ethnozoological knowledge of hydrobiological resources in Mesoamerica from the pre-Columbian era to the present, aiming to identify cultural, symbolic, and dietary continuities and transformations. The research is based on a qualitative, documentary, and ethnographic methodology conducted through visits to archaeological museums and a specialized bibliographic review. The information was organized chronologically into the Preclassic, Classic, Postclassic, and Postcolonial periods, exploring the role of aquatic animals in daily life and in the Mesoamerican worldview. Results reveal that species such as toads, turtles, lacustrine birds, fish, and crustaceans served for ritual, dietary, and technological purposes, as evidenced by archaeological remains and artifacts. Traditional practices and indigenous nomenclatures which link language, environment, and biocultural memory persist to this day. Among the study's limitations are fragmented records and restricted access to museum collections. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional knowledge in the face of sociocultural and ecological threats.