Biometric identification of capillariid eggs from archaeological sites in Patagonia (original) (raw)
Related papers
New Paleoparasitological results for rodent coprolites from Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Memórias do Instituto …, 2010
The aim of this study was to examine the parasite remains present in rodent coprolites collected from the archaeological site Alero Destacamento Guardaparque (ADG) located in the Perito Moreno National Park (Santa Cruz Province, 47º57'S 72º05'W). Forty-eight coprolites were obtained from the layers 7, 6 and 5 of ADG, dated at 6,700 ± 70, 4,900 ± 70 and 3,440 ± 70 years BP, respectively. The faecal samples were processed and examined using paleoparasitological procedures. A total of 582 eggs of parasites were found in 47 coprolites. Samples were positive for eggs of Trichuris sp. (Nematoda: Trichuridae), Calodium sp., Eucoleus sp., Echinocoleus sp. and an unidentified capillariid (Nematoda: Capillariidae) and for eggs of Monoecocestus (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae). Quantitative differences among layer for both coprolites and parasites were recorded. In this study, the specific filiations of parasites, their zoonotic importance, the rodent identity, on the basis of previous zooarchaeological knowledge, and the environmental conditions during the Holocene in the area are discussed.
2021
Parasite studies in coprolites collected from archaeological sites contribute to increase the knowledge about paleoecological conditions and its implications on human populations in the past because of human-animal interactions in an ecological niche. A previous study of coprolites from the sub-level 5(8) (2,850±50 yr. BP) of Campo Cerda 1, an archaeological site in Argentine Patagonia, confirmed the presence of culpeo-fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) faeces with parasite remains. The present parasitological and molecular study focuses on a level dated at ca. 600 yr. BP. Ancient DNA (aDNA) from coprolites was isolated and sequenced to corroborate their zoological origin. The parasite identification was performed under an optical microscope. The aDNA analysis allowed the assignment of the collected coprolites to canids. Two samples were confirmed as from culpeo-fox by DNA sequencing. Polyparasitism was common to all samples, with Alaria sp. and Spirocercidae gen. sp. in a high density. Eight species of helminths coincide with those previously found in coprolites from older levels of Campo Cerda 1. By contrast, spirurids (probably, Spirurida gen. sp., Spirocerca sp. and Protospirura sp.), cestodes (Hymenolepidiidae gen. sp. and Spirometra sp.), a Dicrocoelliid digenean (attributable to Athesmia sp.), and an ectoparasite, Demodex sp., were only reported in the present work. The high occurrence of Alaria sp. in culpeo-fox from this site at different time periods during the Late Holocene suggests a permanent connection with the aquatic environment to obtain food. The similarity of parasitic assemblages between the 2,850±50 yr. BP and the ca. 600 yr. BP level suggests a high stability of such assemblages throughout this period. Abstract Parasite studies in coprolites collected from archaeological sites contribute to increase the
The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in rodent coprolites collected from Cueva Huenul 1 (CH1), northern Neuquén (Patagonia, Argentina), an archaeological site that provides stratified sequences of archaeological and palaeontological remains dating from the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene Transition to the Late Holocene period. Twenty rodent coprolites collected from different sedimentary units from the site, with ages ranging from 13.844 ± 75-1.416 ± 37 years BP, were examined for parasites. Each coprolite was processed as a whole: rehydrated, homogenised, spontaneously sedimented and examined using light microscopy. The coprolites and the eggs of any parasites present were described, measured and photographed. In all, 158 parasite eggs were found in 10 coprolites. The faeces were positive for Viscachataenia quadrata Denegri, Dopchiz, Elissondo & Beveridge and Monoecocestus sp. Beddard (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) and for Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae Sutton & Hugot (Nematoda: Oxyuridae). The coprolites examined were tentatively attributed to Lagidium viscacia Molina (Mammalia, Rodentia, Caviomorpha, Chinchillidae). The life cycles of these parasites are discussed.
Paleoparasitological Records in a Canid Coprolite From Patagonia, Argentina
Journal of Parasitology, 2006
In this note, organic remains identified as a canid coprolite were examined. The material was dated at 6540 +/- 110 B.P.; it was collected in the Perito Moreno National Park, Santa Cruz, Argentina. Paleoparasitological analysis was performed following standard procedures. Coprolite fragments were rehydrated in a trisodium phosphate aqueous solution and subjected to spontaneous sedimentation for microscope analysis. Eggs of nematodes identified as Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Uncinaria sp., and an ascaridid (probably Toxascaris sp.) or spirurids (presumably Physaloptera sp.), plus a cestode (Anoplocephalidae), presumably Moniezia sp., were found.
Results of paleoparasitological examination of rodent coprolites from faeces were collected from excavations at the paleontological site “Los Altares Profile”, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina, are presented. Each coprolite was processed, rehydrated, homogenized, processed by spontaneous sedimentation, and examined using a light microscope. Coprolites and eggs were described, measured, and photographed. Samples were positive for eggs of Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae and an unidentified oxyurid (tentatively attributed to Helminthoxys) (Nematoda: Oxyuridae); and for 3 morphotypes of anoplocephalids (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae). Coprolites were dated at 2210 ± 70 BP to present. This is the first paleoparasitological research conducted in different levels of this paleontological site, extending the parasitological knowledge of ancient material in Patagonia.