New parasitological and molecular data of carnivore coprolites from Campo Cerda 1 archaeological site (Chubut, Argentina): insights into human-animal interactions in Patagonia

Abstract

Parasite studies in coprolites collected from archaeological sites contribute to increase the knowledge about paleoecological conditions and its implications on human populations in the past because of human-animal interactions in an ecological niche. A previous study of coprolites from the sub-level 5(8) (2,850 ± 50 yr. BP) of Campo Cerda 1, an archaeological site in Argentine Patagonia, confirmed the presence of culpeo-fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) faeces with parasite remains. The present parasitological and molecular study focuses on a level dated at ca. 600 yr. BP. Ancient DNA (aDNA) from coprolites was isolated and sequenced to corroborate their zoological origin. The parasite identification was performed under an optical microscope. The aDNA analysis allowed the assignment of the collected coprolites to canids. Two samples were confirmed as from culpeo-fox by DNA sequencing. Polyparasitism was common to all samples, with Alaria sp. and Spirocercidae gen. sp. in a high density. Eight species of helminths coincide with those previously found in coprolites from older levels of Campo Cerda 1. By contrast, spirurids (probably, Spirurida gen. sp., Spirocerca sp. and Protospirura sp.), cestodes (Hymenolepididae gen. sp. and Spirometra sp.), a Dicrocoelliid digenean (attributable to Athesmia sp.), and an ectoparasite, Demodex sp., were only reported in the present work. The high occurrence of Alaria sp. in culpeo-fox from this site at different time periods during the Late Holocene suggests a permanent connection with the aquatic environment to obtain food. The similarity of parasitic assemblages between the 2,850 ± 50 yr. BP and the ca. 600 yr. BP level suggests a high stability of such assemblages throughout this period.