Zoopharmacognosy
3119918
199314564
2008-03-19T10:58:59Z
Wonderofthemind
6697027
Zoopharmacognosy in Estrildid finches
[[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 utilizing [[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> For example, [[Jane Goodall]] has seen [[chimpanzee]]s eating certain bushes to make themselves sick. 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" />
Two observations have been made by William Astor regarding the self-medicative behavior of Estridid finches of several species.<ref>Astor, William (2008) [http://astorwilliam.tripod.com/ The Finch Self-Medication Website]</ref>
1. Estrildid finches in captivity of several different species have been 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.)
2. Estrildid finches in captivity of several different species do 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 as to how they can do it is a complete mystery.
==Notes==
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==External links==
* [http://www.pri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/shakai-seitai/seitai/huffman/index.html Michael Huffman], another pioneer in the field
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[[Category:Pharmacology]]
[[Category:Ethology]]
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