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

CAÑAL, VICTORIA; BELTRAME, MARÍA ORNELA; DE TOMMASO, DANIELA; TIETZE, ELEONOR; CAÑAL, VICTORIA; BELTRAME, MARÍA ORNELA; DE TOMMASO, DANIELA; TIETZE, ELEONOR

PARASITOLOGY

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2019 vol. 146 p. 253 - 260

0031-1820

The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in mountain viscachaLagidium viscacia (Caviomorpha, Chinchillidae) fecal pellets collected from ?Cueva Peligro?, acave located in Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina, throughout the last 1200 years. A totalof 84 samples were examined for parasites. Each pellet was whole processed: rehydrated,homogenized, sediment and examined using light microscopy. The samples and eggs of parasitespresent were described, measured and photographed. Thirty-eight samples tested positivefor the nematodes Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae Sutton & Hugot, 1989, Helminthoxyseffilatus 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 differencesof parasite occurrences through this temporal period were recorded. Parasitic life cycles andtheir presence along the studied period are so discussed.