Zoonotic parasites from caves and rock shelters during the Middle Holocene in Patagonia: new evidences associated to felines

FUGASSA MARTÍN H.; BELTRAME M. ORNELA; BAYER MARÍA S.; SARDELLA NORMA H.

MEMóRIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ.

Fiocruz

Lugar: Río de Janeiro; Año: 2009 vol. 104 p. 1177 - 1180

0074-0276

The aim of this study was to examine the parasites found in coprolites of felids associated to an archaeological site of Patagonia, Argentina, with the purpose to add ecological and biogeographical knowledge to ancient populations. Eggs compatible to Trichuris sp., Eucoleus sp., Nematodirus sp., Oesophagostomum sp. (Nematoda), Monoecocestus sp. (Cestoda), and Eimeria macusaniensis (Coccidia), were recovered from faeces. Results obtained provided evidences of consumption by felids of viscera of rodents and camelids, and allowed to improve explanations on the biogeographic history of parasitism and their significance to the health of humans and animals inhabiting the area under study during the Middle Holocene.