View source for Zoopharmacognosy

[[Image:Bonobo 01.jpg|right|thumb|A variety of [[simian]] species have been observed to medicate themselves when ill using materials such as plants]]'''Zoopharmacognosy''' refers to the process by which [[animal]]s [[self-medication|self-medicate]], by selecting and using [[plant]]s, [[soil]]s, and [[insect]]s to treat and prevent disease. Coined by Dr. [[Eloy Rodriguez]], a biochemist and professor at [[Cornell University]], the word is derived from roots ''zoo'' ("animal"), ''pharma'' ("drug"), and ''gnosy'' ("knowing").<ref>Gerber, Suzanne. [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n255/ai_21224859 "Not just monkeying around"], ''[[Vegetarian Times]]'', November 1998.</ref>

Observers have noticed that some [[species]] ingest non-foods, such as [[toxicity|toxic]] plants, [[clay]] or [[charcoal]], to ward off [[parasite|parasitic]] infestation or [[poison]]ing.<ref>Biser, Jennifer A. (1998). [http://nationalzoo.si.edu/publications/zoogoer/1998/1/reallywildremedies.cfm "Really Wild Remedies — Medicinal Plant Use by Animals."] [[Smithsonian National Zoological Park]] website; accessed on 2005-01-13.  (provides several examples)</ref> [[Jane Goodall]] witnessed [[chimpanzee]]s eating certain bushes to make themselves sick, and substantial evidence indicates that they swallow whole the leaves of certain rough-leaved plants, such as ''[[Aneilema aequinoctiale]]'', in order to remove parasitic worms from their intestines.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Reynolds | first = Vernon | title = The chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest: ecology, behaviour, and conservation | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2005 | pages = 41–43 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=yx5hMvqi_msC&lpg=PA41&dq=%22Aneilema%20aequinoctiale%22&lr=&pg=PA41#v=onepage&q=%22Aneilema%20aequinoctiale%22&f=false | isbn = 9780198515456}}</ref>  Some Brazilian parrots eat [[kaolinite|kaolin]] (a form of clay).

Illustrating the medicinal knowledge of some species, apes have been observed selecting a particular part of a medicinal plant by taking off leaves, then breaking the stem to suck out the juice.<ref name=Campbell>''Biology'' (4th edition). N.A. Campbell, p.23 'An Interview with Eloy Rodriguez' (Benjamin Cummings NY, 1996) ISBN 0-8053-1957-3</ref> In an interview with [[Neil Campbell (scientist)|Neil Campbell]], Rodriguez describes the importance of biodiversity to medicine:
:Some of the compounds we've identified by zoopharmacognosy kill parasitic worms, and some of these chemicals may be useful against [[tumor]]s. There is no question that the templates for most drugs are in the natural world.<ref name="Campbell" />

William Astor has observed self-medicative behavior in captive [[estrildid finch]]es.<ref>Astor, William (2008) [http://astorwilliam.tripod.com/ The Finch Self-Medication Website]</ref> The finches, of several different species, were observed to correctly target appropriate antibiotics out of a range made available to them, through which they were able to cure themselves of life threatening diseases (as opposed to relatively minor ailments like indigestion). These finches did not learn this self-medicative behavior from their parents or others in the flock through social learning like apes and chimpanzees are suspected of doing. This ability of estrildid finches seems to be innate, but how they can do it is a complete mystery.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}

A female [[capuchin monkey]] in captivity was observed using tools covered in a sugar-based syrup to groom her wounds and those of her infant.<ref>G. Westergaard and D. Fragaszy: [http://www.springerlink.com/content/a01131qg3662nv17/ Self-treatment of wounds by a capuchin monkey (''Cebus apella'')]. ''Human Evolution'' 1987, 2(6):557-56</ref><ref>Bill G. Ritchie, Dorothy M. Fragaszy: [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/110512372/abstract Capuchin monkey (''Cebus apella'') grooms her infant's wound with tools]. ''American Journal of Primatology'' 1988, 16(4):345-348</ref>

==Notes==
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==See also==
* [[Biomimicry]]
* [[Wound licking]]

==External links==
* [http://www.plantbio.cornell.edu/cals/plbio/directory/faculty.cfm?netId=er30l Eloy Rodriguez]

[[Category:Pharmacology]]
[[Category:Ethology]]


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