First study of fossil rodent middens as source of paleoparasitological evidences (northwestern Patagonia, Argentina)

M. O. BELTRAME; M. E. DE PORRAS; R. BARBERENA; C. LLANO; N. SARDELLA

PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL

ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2016

1383-5769

The aim of this study was to report the paleoparasitological results obtained from coprolites of fossil rodent middens from northwestern Patagonia, Neuquén, Argentina. The potential of rodent middens as a source of paleoparasitological evidences was studied. This is the first study of this kind of ancient material applied to paleoparasitology. Fifty coprolites from 10 fossil rodent middens were whole processed, rehydrated, homogenized, subjected to spontaneous sedimentation, and examined via light microscopy. Eggs of parasites were measured and photographed. Eight middens examined were found parasitized. The eggs of parasites found were assigned to Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae Sutton & Hugot, 1989 and Helminthoxys sp. Freitas, Lent & Almeida, 1937 (Nematoda: Oxyuridae), Trichuris sp. Roederer, 1761 (Nematoda: Trichuridae) and one unidentified nematode. Fossil rodent middens were assigned to Lagidium viscacia (Caviomorph: Chinchillidae). The well preservation of parasite remains in coprolites from fossil rodent middens provided an opportunity to provide paleoparasitological inferences. Fossil rodent middens offer an excellent archive for the recovery of parasitic remains for future paleoparasitological studies.