Zootherapeutic uses of animals and their parts: An important element of the traditional knowledge of the Safi province, Morocco.

The Moroccan population harbors rich traditional knowledge used to treat various human diseases. This is the first study aimed at exploring the ethnozoological practices in Morocco. : Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires to interview 42 traditional healers and merchants of medicinal animals. Collected ethnozoological data were analyzed using appropriate quantitative indices. : 42 animal species belonging to eight taxonomic groups were gathered, with Mammalia being the most mentioned (15 species), followed by Aves (12 species). sp. (RFC = 0.81), and (RFC = 0.71), had the highest RFC. With 8.00 units, was the species with the highest level of therapeutic redundancy. The most important diseases cited were circulatory system disorders (ICF = 1.00), oncology (ICF = 1.00), oro-dental problems (ICF = 0.86), and nervous system disorders (ICF = 0.86). The following animal species gained an FL value of 100 %: (for skin diseases), (for endocrine disorders), (for gastrointestinal disorders), (for nervous system disorders), and (for culture-bound diseases). The most versatile species were sp. (RI = 100 %) and (RI = 88.89 %). The most culturally important species included (CII = 57.14) and (CII = 40.48). According to the IAR value, (nervous system disorders) and (IAR = 1.00) had the highest scores. The highest CAI value was for (CAI = 48.98). : The local population of the Safi region possesses valuable knowledge about the use of medicinal animals to treat a plethora of health concerns. and were the most versatile species and were indicated as ideals for being cultural keystone species. They must be prioritized in future research and conservation studies.