The findings suggesting that overexploitation for medicinal use could be an overlooked source of threat for mammalian species.

"Our study revealed that an impressive mammalian species richness -- 9% of the 6,399 known species -- is used in traditional medical systems worldwide. We also highlight that closely related species are used to treat similar diseases," said lead author Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves, PhD, of the Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, in Brazil. "The widespread utilization of mammals in traditional medicine (including threatened species) is evidence of the importance of understanding such uses in the context of mammal conservation. Sanitary aspects of the use of wild mammals by humans, and their implications for public health, are also key aspects to consider."

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Journal Reference:

1. Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves, Anna Karolina Martins Borges, Raynner Rilke Duarte Barboza, Wedson Medeiros Silva Souto, Thiago Gonçalves‐Souza, Diogo B. Provete, Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque. A global analysis of ecological and evolutionary drivers of the use of wild mammals in traditional medicine. Mammal Review, 2020; DOI: 10.1111/mam.12233