Carnivore coprolites from “Gruta del Indio” site as source of paleoparasitological and paleoecological evidences (late Pleistocene-Holocene, Mendoza, Argentina)

In the southern cone of South America, inhabit a large diversity of Neotropical carnivores. Carnivore coprolites are a valuable source of paleoecological and paleoparasitological information. The rock shelter Gruta del Indio (GI) is an emblematic archeological and paleontological site located from Mendoza, Argentina. Several studies were conducted at this site, which provided a stratified sequence spanning the last ∼31 ky BP. The aim of this work was to study parasite remains found in coprolites assigned to carnivores from GI, with the purpose of contributing to the paleoecological knowledge of the site. Twenty coprolites were examined for parasites. Samples were rehydrated in a 0.5% water solution of trisodium phosphate, then homogenized, filtered, and processed by spontaneous sedimentation. The macroscopic remains were separated and dried at room temperature and were examined for diet analysis. All micromammal prey belonged to the Order Rodentia, and six histricomorphs could be identified. Also, bird bones, plant, arthropod, and hair remains were found. Five coprolites contained parasite remains, and eight nematode species were recovered. This is the first paleoparasitological study at this site, and the findings broaden the knowledge of the biogeographic history of the gastrointestinal helminths found. The obtained results evidence the importance of carnivore coprolite studies recovered from archeological contexts in the reconstruction of paleoecological scenarios. Also, the importance of carnivores for the dispersion of their own parasites and the parasites of their prey are discussed. These parasitological findings contribute with the study of the presence of potential parasitic zoonoses in the Holocene.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Estudios paleoparasitológicos en camélidos sudamericanos: Herramienta para el estudio de los ecosistemas del pasado del noroeste argentino

La paleoparasitología es el estudio de parásitos en sitios arqueológicos y paleontológicos.Parásitos, hospedadores y ambiente interaccionan entre sí formando parte de un sistemaecológico en el que la presencia de parásitos suele ser indicadora de diversos aspectos, tantode la vida del hospedador como del ambiente. El estudio de parásitos en contextos antiguosproporciona información sobre diversos aspectos paleoecológicos, evolutivos, biogeográficosy culturales. Los camélidos sudamericanos (CSA) son los artiodáctilos de mayor tamaño enSudamérica y acompañaron a las poblaciones humanas desde su ingreso en Sudamérica, siendoorganismos emblemáticos de los andes. Las heces deshidratadas (coprolitos) de los CSA seencuentran frecuentemente en sitios arqueológicos y paleontológicos en zonas áridas. Estudiospaleoparasitológicos previos en el noroeste argentino, y en otras regiones del país, exhiben la riqueza parasitaria que albergan estos hospedadores, y dan indicios de posibles variaciones de la diversidad parasitaria a través del tiempo y del espacio. La aplicación de técnicas paleoparasitológicas en coprolitos de CSA permite responder diversas preguntas a partir del conocimiento de la diversidad parasitaria en el pasado.Nuestro grupo de trabajo lleva adelante un proyecto cuyos objetivos son: 1) conocer la relaciónparásito-hospedador-ambiente a lo largo del tiempo y del espacio, 2) estudiar la ganancia o pérdidade parásitos durante la dispersión de los CSA por Sudamérica, 3) conocer los cambios climáticosy ambientales acaecidos en el pasado a partir de la relación parásito-hospedador, 4) conocer losefectos de la introducción del ganado europeo y de las actividades antrópicas en los ensamblesparasitarios de CSA y 5) conocer qué sucedió con las especies parasitarias presentes en CSA ysus potenciales enfermedades luego de su domesticación. Los resultados preliminares sugierenque, si bien los ensambles parasitarios hallados hasta el momento son similares a los registradospreviamente en estudios de muestras actuales y antiguas de CSA del área, presentan ciertasdiferencias a lo largo del tiempo y con otras áreas de estudio. También se registró la presencia deFasciola hepatica, parásito gastrointestinal de gran importancia zoonótica, en tiempos prehistóricos, especie que se creía que había ingresado a América con la llegada del ganado europeo. El objetivo general es estudiar y analizar la evidencia brindada por los restos parasitarios hallados en coprolitos de CSA en el estudio de los ecosistemas del pasado en el NOA.Fil: Beltrame, Maria Ornela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Bellusci, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Cañal, Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Tietze, Eleonor. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaI Jornadas de Arqueología del Noroeste Argentino: Trayectorias, diálogos y saberesTilcaraArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Antropologí

First paleoparasitological study of micromammal coprolites from the holocene of the Somuncurá Plateau Protected Natural Area (Patagonia Argentina)

The Somuncurá Plateau is a Protected Natural Area located in the middle of the northern extra-Andean arid Patagonia. Inhabited by at least 20 small mammal species, is the place with the uppermost species richness in Patagonia. The aim of this study was to examine the parasite remains from micromammal coprolites collected in association with a bone sequence recovered at the east of the Somuncurá Plateau (site “Alero Las Lechuzas”). Coprolites came from the four temporal units previously defined: unit I (4790 ± 100 yrs. 14C B.P.), unit II, unit III (7840 ± 120 yrs. 14C B.P.) and unit IV. 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 two nematode species: Helminthoxys caudatus Freitas, Lent & Almeida, 1937 (Oxyurida, Oxyuridae) and Trichuris spp. (Trichinellida: Trichuridae). This is the first paleoparasitological study developed for the Somuncurá Plateau Protected Area. Moreover, this is the first time that the genus Helminthoxys is reported from ancient times worldwide. Coprolites were attributed to the mountain cavy Microcavia australis (Rodentia, Caviidae).The presence of H. caudatus for the Middle Holocene of northern Patagonia contributes to the study of the history of the histricomorphs and pinworms relationships.Fil: Beltrame, Maria Ornela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bellusci, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Andrade, Analia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas; Argentin

Carnivore coprolites from “Gruta del Indio” site as source of paleoparasitological and paleoecological evidences (late Pleistocene-Holocene, Mendoza, Argentina)

In the southern cone of South America, inhabit a large diversity of Neotropical carnivores. Carnivore coprolites are a valuablesource of paleoecological and paleoparasitological information. The rock shelter Gruta del Indio (GI) is an emblematicarcheological and paleontological site located from Mendoza, Argentina. Several studies were conducted at this site, whichprovided a stratified sequence spanning the last ∼31 ky BP. The aimof this work was to study parasite remains found in coprolitesassigned to carnivores from GI, with the purpose of contributing to the paleoecological knowledge of the site. Twenty coproliteswere examined for parasites. Samples were rehydrated in a 0.5% water solution of trisodium phosphate, then homogenized,filtered, and processed by spontaneous sedimentation. The macroscopic remains were separated and dried at room temperatureand were examined for diet analysis. All micromammal prey belonged to the Order Rodentia, and six histricomorphs could beidentified. Also, bird bones, plant, arthropod, and hair remains were found. Five coprolites contained parasite remains, and eightnematode species were recovered. This is the first paleoparasitological study at this site, and the findings broaden the knowledgeof the biogeographic history of the gastrointestinal helminths found. The obtained results evidence the importance of carnivorecoprolite studies recovered from archeological contexts in the reconstruction of paleoecological scenarios. Also, the importanceof carnivores for the dispersion of their own parasites and the parasites of their prey are discussed. These parasitological findingscontribute with the study of the presence of potential parasitic zoonoses in the Holocene.Fil: Bellusci, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones En Sanidad Produccion y Ambiente. - Comision de Investigaciones Cientificas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones En Sanidad Produccion y Ambiente.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Fernando Julián. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ornela, Beltrame María. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Carnivores as zoonotic parasite reservoirs in ancient times: the case of the Epullán Chica archaeological cave (Late Holocene, northwestern Patagonia, Argentina)

Zoonoses are currently considered as one of the most important threats for Public Health worldwide. Numerous zoonoses known today have occurred since antiquity. Carnivores act as definitive hosts for many intestinal parasites; some of them are responsible for several zoonotic diseases. The aim of this work was to study the parasite remains found in coprolites assigned to carnivores from the archaeological site Epullan Chica (ECh) and to discuss the results from a zoonotic point of view. ECh is located in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina and was occupied since the end of the Late Holocene (∼2200 years B.P.). Nine coprolites were examined for parasites. Samples were processed by rehydration in a 0.5 % water solution of trissodium phosphate, followed by homogenization, filtered and processed by spontaneous sedimentation. The macroscopic remains were separated and dried at room temperature and were examined for diet analysis. Six out of 9 coprolites examined were positive for parasites. Representatives of at least 10 parasite taxa were registered. Results are in line with the reconstruction of the scenario of zoonoses in the past and the diseases that the human populations and animals from Patagonia could be exposed. The present study provides the first palaeoparasitological report of carnivore coprolites recovered from the archaeological site Ech and reflects contamination of the cave used by hunter-gatherers with different parasites causative of zoonotic diseases.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Gastrointestinal parasite assemblages from the wild rodent capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) inhabiting a natural protected area from Argentina

Knowledge about parasitic diseases of wildlife will help us to understand the dynamics of parasites and their effects on host populations. The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest living rodent in the world, and its distribution is associated with the presence of tropical and subtropical wetlands in South America. The Los Padres Lake Integral Reserve (LPLIR) is an important conservation zone in the pampean region of Argentina. One of the emblematic species found within the reserve is the capybara. The objective of this study was to determine the gastrointestinal parasites present in wild capybaras of the LPLIR and to compare different coprological methodologies. Free-ranging capybara fresh feces from 57 individuals were randomly collected from the area of LPLIR in the summer of 2022. Three different techniques were applied: spontaneous sedimentation technique (SS), INTA modified McMaster technique (MM), and Mini-FLOTAC (MF) technique. Fifty-six samples from all samples analysed (56/57, 98%) were found to be positive for gastrointestinal parasites. Two species of Strongylida, Protozoophaga obesa, Echinocoleus hydrochaeris, one unidentified nematode, one unidentified spirurid, and at least two morphotypes of Eimeria spp. oocysts were recorded. There were found significant differences in the proportion of positive samples and in richness by technique, but no significant differences were found in parasite counting. In conclusion, the choice of methodology depends on the specific objectives of the study. This is the first parasitological study of capybaras from the LPLIR and represents an exploration of parasite communities present in these wild rodents at their southernmost distribution.Fil: Tietze, Eleonor. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Bellusci, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Cañal, Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Cringoli, G.. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Beltrame, Maria Ornela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; Argentin

Carnivores as zoonotic parasite reservoirs in ancient times: the case of the Epullán Chica archaeological cave (Late Holocene, northwestern Patagonia, Argentina)

Zoonoses are currently considered as one of the most important threats for Public Health worldwide. Numerous zoonoses known today have occurred since antiquity. Carnivores act as definitive hosts for many intestinal parasites; some of them are responsible for several zoonotic diseases. The aim of this work was to study the parasite remains found in coprolites assigned to carnivores from the archaeological site Epullán Chica (ECh) and to discuss the results from a zoonotic point of view. ECh is located in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina and was occupied since the end of the Late Holocene (∼2200 years B.P.). Nine coprolites were examined for parasites. Samples were processed by rehydration in a 0.5 % water solution of trissodium phosphate, followed by homogenization, filtered and processed by spontaneous sedimentation. The macroscopic remains were separated and dried at room temperature and were examined for diet analysis. Six out of 9 coprolites examined were positive for parasites. Representatives of at least 10 parasite taxa were registered. Results are in line with the reconstruction of the scenario of zoonoses in the past and the diseases that the human populations and animals from Patagonia could be exposed. The present study provides the first palaeoparasitological report of carnivore coprolites recovered from the archaeological site Ech and reflects contamination of the cave used by hunter-gatherers with different parasites causative of zoonotic diseases.Fil: Beltrame, Maria Ornela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Bellusci, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Fernando Julián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Cienicas Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Anatomía Comparada; ArgentinaFil: Sardella, Norma Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentin