Richard S. Felger

Winter dormancy in sea turtles: independent discovery and exploitation in the gulf of california by two local cultures.

Documentation is reported for sea turtles overwintering on the sea bottom. Seri Indians have traditionally hunted nonmigrating dormant green turtles (Chelonia mydas) along the bottom of the Infiernillo Channel in the Gulf of California. Mexican fishermen independently discovered dormant turtles during winter 1972-1973, and with new hunting technologies are rapidly decimating these unusual stocks.

Teparies in southwestern North America

Ethnohistorically, wild and domesticated teparies (Phaseolus acutifolius: Leguminosae) are significant native food crops in southwestern North America. Their value rests in adaptations to arid environments, and high protein content and productivity. Use of wild teparies appears to be discontinued, but certain domesticated varieties are still grown by local commercial and subsistence farmers. The recent subsidence of tepary cultivation is related to breakdown of traditional economies and land use, and to the introduction of energy-intensive irrigated agriculture. An earlier and unsuccessful attempt to introduce teparies into modern agriculture was poorly timed. Teparies have considerable potential for low maintenance agriculture in arid and semi-arid lands.

Seri Indian food plants: Desert subsistence without agriculture

The Seri Indians of Sonora, Mexico, living on the east side of the Gulf of California, utilized over 75 species of seed plants from the desert and sea as food. Potable water, rather than food, was undoubtedly the primary factor limiting pre‐contact population levels of these hunting and gathering and seafaring people. Fewer species of plants were used for food than for medicinal purposes. Basic staples were obtained from the fruit of columnar cacti (Pachycereus, etc.), the pod and seed of mesquite (Prosopis), seed of eelgrass (Zostera), leaf‐base and stem of century plant (Agave), and seeds of various ephemerals such as amaranth (Amaranthus), goosefoot (Chenopodium), plantain (Plantago), and bean (Phaseolus). Other important food plants include cholla (Opuntia), wolfberry (Lycium), mala mujer (Cnidoscolus), palo verde (Cercidium), and saiya (Amoreuxia). Mesquite, columnar cacti, and eelgrass were harvested at the height of the dry season and, because of drought‐evading adaptations, could be relied upon ev...

Cienega de Santa Clara, a remnant wetland in the Rio Colorado delta (Mexico): vegetation distribution and the effects of water flow reduction

Abstract The Cienega de Santa Clara is the largest remaining wetland in the Rio Colorado delta; it supports endangered bird and fish species. The Cienega is maintained by agricultural drainage water discharge from the USA which in the future may be diverted to the Yuma Desalting Plant. We examined the existing vegetation patterns and effects of flow disruption on vegetation using seasonal aerial and ground surveys. The Cienega was dominated by Typha domingensis and contained eight subdominant hydrophytes in addtition. The distribution of marsh plants was related to salinity and water depth within the Cienega. Disturbance in the form of burning of the Typha and grazing of cattle on the new growth had a marked effect on the status of the vegetation in accessible parts of the marsh. During 8 months of unplanned flow interruption due to the need for canal repairs, 60–70% of the marsh foliage died back. Green vegetation was confined to a low-lying geologic fault which retained water; however, Typha domingensis regenerated from dormant rhizomes following the return of canal flow. Though the vegetation proved resilient, prolonged flow reduction would unavoidably reduce the size of the wetland and its capacity to support associated wetland functions.

Clinal Variation in the Surface‐Volume Relationships of the Columnar Cactus Lophocereus Schottii in Northwestern Mexico

Regression analysis of clines in the surface—volume ratios of stems of the columnar cactus Lophocereus schottii in Sonora, Mexico, reveals similar relationships for clinal interpopulation variation and ontogenetic intrapopulation variation. Smaller surface—volume ratios (larger, thicker stems) occur in the northern parts of the distributions of Lophocereus and the othe large columnar species; the younger (sterile) growths of all populations also have smaller surface—volume ratios. Evolution of the surface—volume ratios of the columnar Cactaceae is discussed in relation to complex environmental gradients of temperature and moisture that characterize their effective environments in northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States. See full-text article at JSTOR

Seri Indian pharmacopoeia

The traditional pharmacopoeia of the Seri Indians of Sonora, Mexico, involves approximately 95 species of plants in 80 genera, 15 animal species, and one kind of clay. In contrast only 75 species of plants were utilized for food. Medicinal teas are prepared from 63 plant species. Plants with aromatic foliage are especially esteemed. The predilection for watery preparations seems to be related to the commonplace water deficit in a very hot and arid environment.Although a shaman was frequently involved in curing sickness, he generally did not administer medicines. For the most part, traditional Seri medicine has been a highly individual affair. The few mixtures are relatively simple preparations. The absence of complicated formulae encourages self-administered medicines and the information can readily diffuse through the culture. Because it is an individual-oriented and non-professionally administered pharmacopoeia, each individual may not know every remedy. To the Seri, origin and use of their various remedies appear to be highly pragmatic, often based on trial and error, i.e., it is effective.

Seri Use of Agave (Century Plant)

ABSTRACTSeri use of the Agave (century plant or maguey) is described. Certain agaves, having a high sugar content, were a major source of food for the Seri. Food material prepared from agave was stored for future use. A method for obtaining an emergency supply of potable liquid was practiced. Seri nomenclature and usage of Agave seem to closely follow biosystematic classification. A rich Seri vocabulary is associated with the various agaves.

Seri Use of Mesquite Prosopis Glandulosa Var Torreyana

ABSTRACTThe western honey mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa var torreyana, is one of the primary natural resources of the Seri of western Sonora, Mexico. Different parts of the mesquite are variously employed for basketry dye, face paint, hunting and fishing, firewood, games, medicine, lumber, wooden artifacts, and rope or twine. Until recently the fruit was utilized extensively for food. Relatively large quantities of flour were obtained from the mesocarp. The Seri also prepared flour from the true seed which was separated from the stony endocarp by pounding in bedrock mortars. Prepared mesquite flour products were stored for times of need. A relatively extensive vocabulary is associated with the mesquite—the Seri recognize eight growth stages of the mesquite pod. The Seri moon approximating the month of July derives from the time of mesquite harvest, a time when the monsoon begins and initiates maximum renewal of life in the desert. This moon is for the Seri the beginning of the new year.

Succulent Plant Diversity Of the Sonoran Islands, Gulf Of California, Mexico

Abstract Succulent life forms are a prominent feature of the Sonoran Gulf of California islands (Alcatraz, Cholludo, Dátil, Patos, San Esteban, San Pedro Mártir, San Pedro Nolasco, and Tiburón). Among a total flora of 378 species of vascular plants, there are 62 succulent taxa (16%) in 16 families and 33 genera, which we place in three categories: xerophytic succulents (32), semisucculents (22), and halophytic succulents (8). Succulent plant distribution on each island is unique and reflects the shaping climatic, biotic (including herbivores), soil, and topographical features of each of these microcosms. Cactaceae is the most diverse family (25 taxa), with six endemic species, all small cacti, found on Islas San Esteban, San Pedro Nolasco, Dátil, and Cholludo. The smaller islands in the region have a significantly higher percentage of succulent species. Here we present a discussion of the different succulent categories and a detailed floristic listing for all succulent species, which represents the first specimen-based flora of succulents from Gulf of California islands.

Columnar Cacti in Seri Indian Culture

ABSTRACTSix species of columnar cacti (Family Cactaceae, Tribe Cereeae) are native to the Seri region of western Sonora, Mexico. Different parts of these cacti were variously employed for food, caulking pitch, games, house-building, medicine, sealing pottery vessels, tattooing, and wine. Four large-fruited species were of major economic significance in traditional Seri culture. These are cardon (Pachycereus pringlei) organ-pipe (Lemaireocereus thurberi), pitahaya agria (Machaerocereus gummosus), and sahuaro (Carnegiea gigantea). The fruit is a favorite food and is still harvested. The fruit of certain species was dried and stored for future use, as were the seeds, which have a high oil and protein content. The seeds were ground and variously prepared. Traditionally the fruit of organ-pipe and sahuaro was used almost exclusively for wine-making. A relatively extensive vocabulary is associated with the columnar cacti. Certain species, particularly senita (Lophocereus schottii), are prominent in traditional ...