Morphometric variability in oocysts of Eimeria macusaniensis (Guerra, 1967) in archaeological samples from Patagonic Holocene, Argentina

FUGASSA MARTÍN H; SARDELLA NORMA H.,; TAGLIORETTI VERÓNICA,; REINHARD KARL J.; ARAÚJO ADAUTO

Santiago de Chile

Congreso; 2nd Paleopatholohy Association Meeting in South American; 2007

Eimeria sp. oocyst atributable to E. macusaniensis (Guerra, 1967) were found in coprolites and in archaeological sediments corresponding to the Patagonic Holocene in Argentina. By means of polynomial regression analysis, a significant relation between the antiquity and size of the oocyst was found. Results obtained suggest a trend in the oocyst size reduction in time. The sheds ligth on the possible process of coevolution between E. macusaniensis and South American camelids.