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

Zoonotic parasites in feline coprolites from a Holocenic mortuary context from Eastern Patagonia (Argentina)

Nowadays, wildlife is one of the most important sources of zoonoses, and it is a major concern for the public health. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of wildlife as a reservoir and source of infectious diseases in the past. South America presents a wide diversity of wildlife. In the south of the continent, Argentina shelters a large diversity of neotropical carnivores. Although the paleoparasitological studies on carnivores have been increasing in southern Argentina, most of the efforts have been focused in a handful of sites located in western Patagonia. In this paper, two coprolites of felid found in Cueva Galpón, an initial late Holocene mortuary site from northeast Patagonia (Argentina), were studied for paleoparasitological purposes. Samples were processed by rehydration, homogenization, filtered and processed by spontaneous sedimentation. The samples were assigned to Puma concolor (puma) or Panthera onca (jaguar). Microscopic observations revealed that both coprolites were positive for parasite remains. High parasite richness was observed. Six nematodes, one cestode and one coccidian morphotypes were reported. This is the first time that Gnathostoma sp. and Spirocerca sp. were recovered from holocenic times from Patagonia. This finding implies that some diseases such as taeniasis, spirocercosis, gnathostomosis, ascariasis and coccidiosis could be present in holocenic wildlife from Patagonia prior to the Spanish colonization and domestic animal introduction. The overall results suggest that felids could have played a role as reservoirs and source of some parasitic species, some of which are zoonotic. Therefore, this animal could have entailed a risk agent for human health in the site.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

First report of pre-Hispanic Fasciola hepatica from South America revealed by ancient DNA

It is generally assumed that the digenean human liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, gained entry to South America during the 15th century upon arrival of Europeans and their livestock. Nonetheless in Patagonia, Argentina, digenean eggs similar to F. hepatica have been observed in deer coprolites dating back to 2300 years B.P. The main objective of our present study was to identify and characterize these eggs using an ancient DNA (aDNA) study. Eggs were isolated and used for aDNA extraction, amplification and sequencing of partial regions from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 mitochondrial genes. Also, phylogenetic trees were constructed using Bayesian and maximum likelihood. Our results confirm the presence of F. hepatica in South America from at least 2300 years B.P. This is the first report and the first aDNA study of this trematode in South America prior to the arrival of the European cattle in the 15th century. The present work contributes to the study of phylogenetic and palaeobiogeographical aspects of F. hepatica and its settlement across America.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Parasitological study of mountain viscacha fecal pellets from patagonia over the last 1200 years (‘Cueva Peligro’, Chubut province, Argentina)

The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in mountain viscacha Lagidium viscacia (Caviomorpha, Chinchillidae) fecal pellets collected from 'Cueva Peligro', a cave located in Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina, throughout the last 1200 years. A total of 84 samples were examined for parasites. Each pellet was whole processed: rehydrated, homogenized, sediment and examined using light microscopy. The samples and eggs of parasites present were described, measured and photographed. Thirty-eight samples tested positive for the nematodes Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae Sutton & Hugot, 1989, Helminthoxys effilatus Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1951 (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae), Trichuris sp. Roederer, 1761 (Trichinellida: Trichuridae) and one anoplocephalid species (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae). This is the first time that H. effilatus is reported from ancient times. Significant differences of parasite occurrences through this temporal period were recorded. Parasitic life cycles and their presence along the studied period are so discussed.Fil: Beltrame, María Ornela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Cañal, Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Tietze, Eleonor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: de Tommaso, Daniela Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; 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

A palaeoparasitological analysis of rodent coprolites from the Cueva Huenul 1 archaeological site in Patagonia (Argentina)

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

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

Rotifers in archaeological sediments from the collection of Msgr. Fagnano Regional Museum, Rio Grande, Argentina

El estudio de las poblaciones humanas antiguas es complejo y requiere de un enfoque interdisciplinario. La arqueología argentina está promoviendo el desarrollo de nuevas líneas de evidencias que incluyen espacios muy activos de interacción con la biología. Numerosos estudios biológicos se efectúan sobre los depósitos sedimentarios asociados al contexto arqueológico. Los sedimentos asociados a los restos humanos constituyen un recurso de información poco explorado y en general, escasamente contemplado en el diseño previo de la excavación. El presente trabajo aborda el examen de sedimentos de forámenes sacrales de esqueletos humanos pertenecientes al Museo Regional Monseñor Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego, una clase de material arqueológico poco estudiado. La recuperación de rotíferos, artrópodos y parásitos justifica el esfuerzo de muestreo sobre materiales sin asignación temporal y con escasa referencia espacial. Se puede concluir que el estudio de microfósiles presentes en este tipo de depósito permite maximizar la información obtenida del registro bioarqueológico debido a que albergan valiosa información paleoambiental, bioantropológica y tafonómica. Así, el estudio exhaustivo y no destructivo de las muestras arqueológicas resulta un punto crucial en la estrategia de investigación.The study of ancient human populations is complex and requires an interdisciplinary approach. The Argentinean archaeology is promoting the development of new research fields, including areas of active interaction with biology. Numerous biological studies are conducted on the sedimentary deposits in association to the archaeological context. The sediments associated to human remains constitute an unexplored source of information. Nevertheless, this material is frequently overlook during excavations and/or insufficient number of samples are taken. The present study analyzes the sediments found in sacral foramina of human skeletons belonging to the Monseñor Fagnano Regional Museum, Tierra del Fuego this is a kind of archaeological material rarely studied. The recovery of rotifers, arthropods and parasites justified the sampling effort on this unusual sediments characterized by a low temporary and spatial reference. It can be concluded that the study of microfossils found in this type of deposit maximized the information obtained from the bioarchaeological registry because it harbors valuable palaeoenvironmental, bioanthropological and taphonomic data. Therefore, the exhaustive and non-destructive study of the archaeological samples is a crucial point in the research strategy.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentin

Rotiferos y otros invertebrados en sedimentos arqueológicos de la Colección del Museo Regional Monseñor Fagnano, Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

El estudio de las poblaciones humanas antiguas es complejo y requiere de un enfoque interdisciplinario. La arqueología argentina está promoviendo el desarrollo de nuevas líneas de evidencias que incluyen espacios muy activos de interacción con la biología. Numerosos estudios biológicos se efectúan sobre los depósitos sedimentarios asociados al contexto arqueológico. Los sedimentos asociados a los restos humanos constituyen un recurso de información poco explorado y en general, escasamente contemplado en el diseño previo de la excavación. El presente trabajo aborda el examen de sedimentos de forámenes sacrales de esqueletos humanos pertenecientes al Museo Regional Monseñor Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego, una clase de material arqueológico poco estudiado. La recuperación de rotíferos, artrópodos y parásitos justifica el esfuerzo de muestreo sobre materiales sin asignación temporal y con escasa referencia espacial. Se puede concluir que el estudio de microfósiles presentes en este tipo de depósito permite maximizar la información obtenida del registro bioarqueológico debido a que albergan valiosa información paleoambiental, bioantropológica y tafonómica. Así, el estudio exhaustivo y no destructivo de las muestras arqueológicas resulta un punto crucial en la estrategia de investigación