Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years ¹⁴C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

Abstract

South American camelids (SAC) have occupied a central role in the development of Andean societies. They are widely distributed in South America and since ancient times are an important factor in Andean economies and social and ritual life. The archaeological site Punta de Peña 4 (PP4) is located in Antofagasta de la Sierra Basin (Southern Puna of Argentina). PP4 is a rock overhang and presents a large occupational sequence (early Holocene until historic times). The aim of this contribution is to study parasite diversity and the relationship among parasites and SAC through holocenic times in the Southern Puna of Argentina. Besides, differences in parasite egg preservation in the site were discussed. A total of 65 coprolites assigned to SAC were rehydratated, homogenized, filtered, allowed to spontaneous sedimentation and examined for parasite remains. Given the morphology of the coprolites, the biogeographic origin and the presence of coccidian oocysts of Eimeria macusaniensis in some of them, a camelid origin of the coprolites is suggested. This is the first paleoparasitological study from PP4, an archaeological site of Antofagasta de la Sierra, a key region in northwestern Argentina and Central Andes. Eleven taxa of parasites were found belonging to Apicomplexa, Platyhelminthes, and Nematoda. Specific parasite species of SAC were found, such as E. macusaniensis and Lamanema chavezi/Nematodirus lamae. A remarkable finding was the presence of Moniezia sp. and Strongyloides sp. in coprolites from different levels of PP4, pointing out the presence of these genera in native artiodactyls of the region previous to the arrival of Hispanic societies. Results displayed a change in the number of parasite taxa present in SAC through time. The parasite-SAC relation through time and differences in parasite egg preservation between levels and sectors (covered and uncovered) of the site are discussed.

Paleogenetic and microscopic studies of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) as a tool to reveal the zoological origin of coprolites: The case of study of artiodactyl coprolites from an archeological site from Patagonia, Argentina

“…The coprolites studied in the present work have strong similarities to those of deer, goat and camelid previously described from archeological and paleontological sites from the southern cone of South America (e.g. Beltrame et al, 2017; Petrigh et al, 2021; Tietze et al, 2021). This suggests that it is necessary to apply different methodological tools to identify the correct host origin of the coprolites.…”

Gastrointestinal parasite diversity of South American camelids (Artiodactyla: Camelidae): First review throughout the native range of distribution

“…In the case of llamas, findings of cestodes were scarce, and in general it was only possible to identify the genus. Recently, Moniezia eggs were also found in coprolites from the middle to late-Holocene from the Argentinian Puna, evidencing the presence of this genus in SAC prior the European cattle arrival ( Tietze et al, 2021 ).…”

“…This trematode is now widespread in livestock and can be mapped across the whole South America and certain regions of North America. Nonetheless in Argentina, eggs of F. hepatica have been observed in deer and camelid coprolites dating back to 2300 years B.P., prior to the arrival of the European cattle in the 15th century ( Beltrame et al, 2020 ; Tietze et al, 2021 ). This shows that the presence of Fasciola in camelids is not only due to its transmission by European cattle.…”

“…The host specificity along with the characteristic morphology of its oocyst makes it an effective indicator when identifying the host in coprological studies ( Dubey, 2018 ). The presence of E. macusaniensis is reported even in ancient samples from Argentina, Chile and Peru ( Fugassa et al, 2008 ; Beltrame et al, 2010 ; Taglioretti et al, 2015 ; de Souza et al, 2018 ; Le Bailly et al, 2020 ; Tietze et al, 2021 ).…”

“…(e.g. Taglioretti et al, 2017 ; Petrigh et al, 2021 ; Tietze et al, 2021 ). If we are to make predictions of changes in host–parasite interactions due to, for example, climate or land use change, or to introduction of exotic species, it is necessary to have an exhaustive knowledge of the parasitic diversity of SAC throughout the time and throughout their entire distribution.…”