Palaeobiological studies of coprolites from the early holocene.

L.S. BURRY, P.I. PALACIO, M. FUGASSA Y M.T. CIVALERO

Simposio; V Simposio Internacional El poblamiento temprano de América: a un siglo del debate Ameghino-Hrdlika; 2010

 The study of human coprolites provides information about ecological and cultural aspects. Coprolites from the CCP7 (P.N. Perito Moreno, Santa Cruz) site that belong to the early Holocene were rescued. We present the results of the parasitological and palynological analyses of two coprolites coming from the site?s layer 16, associated to a radiocarbon date of 8920 ± 200 years BP (UGA 7383). The morphology and contents are compatible with human origins, provisionally corroborated through ancient DNA studies now being carried out. The aim of this work is to contribute information on parasitism and diet, and to explore the possibility of utilization of plants with medicinal purpose. For the palynological study, residues from the palaeoparasitological study were used: they were dehydrated, weighed and re-suspended; then a tablet of Lycopodium clavatum was added and they were acetolised. Pollen frequencies were compared with previous palaeoparasitological findings, where Nematode eggs (capillarids, trichostrongilids and uncinarias) were found. Sixteen pollen types were identified, being Asteraceae, Empetraceae, Poaceae and Nothofagus the most abundant. Possible relationships between the palaeoparasitological and palynological data are discussed in reference to the use of present plant species as anthelmintic, as well as the meaning of the palynological data to the reconstruction of palaeoenvironments.