Efecto de los factores climáticos en las fases fenológicas de Mauritia flexuosa Lf. en plantaciones de terraza baja en Ucayali, Perú

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of air temperature and rainfall on the phenological development of Mauritia flexuosa in plantations located in Ucayali, Peru. For this, during a 24-month period, 191 19-year-old palm trees were evaluated, distributed in three plantations established on low terrace soils. The results showed that the 45% of palm trees did not manifest their sexual maturity, meanwhile, 42% and 13% of individuals with male and female sex, respectively, were verified. It was found that the phenological cycle was biannual, with overlapping phenophases and staggered events. In female individuals, maximum flowering was observed in phenophase FLA1 (4-5%) from September to November 2018 and maximum fruiting FRM1 (4-6%) from October 2018 to January 2019; In male individuals, the FLA2 flowering phenophase occurs in two periods between September 2018 and February 2020, meanwhile, the open flower phenophase of both sexes is synchronous in a higher proportion between September and November. It was determined that pluvial precipitation and air temperature (maximum and minimum) did not show correlation (p ≤ 0.05) with the productive phenophases of Mauritia flexuosa. The pluvial precipitation, the maximum temperature and the minimum air temperature showed null association with each one of the phenological phases of the Mauritia flexuosa palm trees during the evaluation period. In order to obtain information for the planning of silvicultural management activities for the conservation of the species, it is recommended to evaluate for more years the influence of climatic elements on the productive development of Mauritia flexuosa.El objetivo en este estudio fue determinar la influencia de la temperatura del aire y la precipitación pluvial en el desarrollo fenológico de Mauritia flexuosa en plantaciones ubicadas en Ucayali, Perú. Para ello, durante un periodo de 24 meses, se evaluaron 191 palmeras de 19 años, distribuidas en tres plantaciones establecidas en suelos de terraza baja. Los resultados mostraron que el 45% de palmeras no manifestaron su madurez sexual, no obstante, fue verificado 42% y 13% de individuos con sexo masculino y femenino, respectivamente. Fue constatado que el ciclo fenológico fue bianual, con superposición de fenofases y eventos escalonados. En individuos femeninos se observó máxima floración en fenofase FLA1 (4-5%) de setiembre a noviembre de 2018 y máxima fructificación FRM1 (4-6%) de octubre 2018 a enero de 2019; en individuos masculinos la fenofase de floración FLA2 se presenta en dos periodos entre setiembre de 2018 y febrero de 2020, entre tanto, la fenofase de flores abiertas de ambos sexos, es sincrónica en mayor proporción entre setiembre y noviembre. Fue determinado que la precipitación pluvial y la temperatura del aire (máxima y mínima) no presentaron correlación (p ≤ 0,05) con las fenofases productivas de Mauritia flexuosa. La precipitación pluvial, la temperatura máxima y temperatura mínima del aire presentaron asociación nula con cada una de las fases fenológicas de las palmeras de Mauritia flexuosa durante el periodo de evaluación. Con la finalidad de obtener información para la planificación de actividades de manejo silvicultural para su conservación de la especie, se recomienda evaluar por más años la influencia de los elementos climáticos sobre el desarrollo productivo de Mauritia flexuosa

Beetles, ants, wasps, or flies? An ethnobiological study of edible insects among the Awajún Amerindians in Amazonas, Peru

Abstract Background Insects are known to be able to provide valuable nutrients to indigenous populations across the Amazon. However, studies on traditional insect use in the Peruvian Amazon are scarce. This study documents edible insect diversity and characterizes their food and collection patterns in eight Awajún communities in the Peruvian Amazon. Additionally, we reviewed what has been known to date about the nutrient composition of the documented species. Methods The survey was conducted among the Awajún populations living in the Huampami, Paisa, Achu, and Tseasim communities in the Cenepa district and the Shijap, San Mateo, Kusu, and Listra communities in the Imaza district. Data collection was conducted through a freelisting exercise complemented by a semi-structured inquiry form in the Awajún language. In total, 104 informants (72 men and 32 women) aged between 16 to 73 years were interviewed. Results The Awajún people use at least 12 insect species, with Rhynchophorus palmarum, Atta cephalotes, and Rhinostomus barbirostris being the most important ones. Beetles of the family Curculionidae represent the culturally most salient taxon. In the more accessible and developed Imaza district, the Awajún tend to eat almost exclusively R. palmarum, while in the more isolated and preserved Cenepa district, the community’s preferences are linked with more species. Although men are the main insect collectors, women cited more edible insects on average. The insects are eaten mainly roasted or raw. Further use patterns and differences between the districts are discussed. Conclusion Traditional knowledge related to edible insects and the ecosystems they occur in is widespread among the Awajún populations, and insects still represent an important part of the indigenous food system. This ethnobiological survey discovered five species that are newly recorded as edible insects. Chemical composition of insects deemed edible by the Awajún ought to be analyzed in the future and awareness about their nutritional importance should be raised to harness the potential of this underutilized yet nutrient-rich traditional food