ISBN online: 978-80-7509-901-3 | DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-901-3

Chladnokrevní obratlovci v Nikaragui a její regionální rozvoj

Ivo Pavlík, Miguel Ángel Garmendia Zapata

Cold-blooded vertebrates are an important element in the regional development of Nicaragua. Species were observed in almost all locations visited during three study tours from 2014–2018. Sites visited during the tour include many on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua such as the port city of San Juan del Sur, beaches of Marsella, Maderas, Chacocente, Casares and La Boquita, as well as other areas including the volcanic islets of Isletas de Granada in the largest freshwater lake in Latin America (Lago de Nicaragua), inland, the eastern part of Nicaragua with the coastline around Bluefields and Corn Islands. More than 40 commonly occurring fish, frogs, lizards, tortoises and snakes commonly found in Nicaragua were observed. Many of them are an important component of the diet of the local population. Many species are important to the local culture and are integral to regional development and tourism. Observed species include Pilchard (Sardina sp.), Manta Ray (Manta birostris), Pacific Red Snapper (Lutjanus peru), Tilapia (Oreocromis sp.), Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), Sawfish (Pristis sp.), Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus), Cane Road (Rhinella marina), Lizards (Sceloporus sp.), Anole (Anolis sp.), Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), Common Spiny tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis), eastern gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), snakes of many different genus’s and species, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Red-eared Slider (Trachemys grayi) and Central American Caiman (Caiman crocodilus). These species and more are used in different ways by the local people for cuisine, leather manufacturing and for souvenir production for tourists. Some venomous snake species, i.e. the Central American rattlesnake (Crotalus simus) and bushmaster (Lachesis stenophrys), represent serious health risks.

Keywords: Nicaraguan cuisine, food safety, venomous snake, risky behaviour, Nicaraguan myths, traditional agriculture, zoonoses, sapronoses, community tourism, ecotourism

1. edition, online: 2023, publisher: Mendelova univerzita v Brně