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

The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in mountain viscacha Lagidium viscacia (Caviomorpha, Chinchillidae) fecal pellets collected from ‘Cueva Peligro’, a cave located in Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina, throughout the last 1200 years. A total of 84 samples were...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 2019-02, Vol.146 (2), p.253-260
Main Authors: Beltrame, María Ornela, Cañal, Victoria, Tietze, Eleonor, De Tommaso, Daniela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Argentina
Caves - parasitology
Eggs
Evolution
Feces
Feces - parasitology
History, 15th Century
History, 16th Century
History, 17th Century
History, 18th Century
History, 19th Century
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
History, Medieval
Life cycles
Light microscopy
Nematodes
Paleontology
Paleopathology
Parasites
Parasitic Diseases, Animal - history
Pellets
Rodent Diseases - history
Rodent Diseases - parasitology
Rodentia
Sheep
Studies
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Summary:The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in mountain viscacha Lagidium viscacia (Caviomorpha, Chinchillidae) fecal pellets collected from ‘Cueva Peligro’, a cave located in Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina, throughout the last 1200 years. A total of 84 samples were examined for parasites. Each pellet was whole processed: rehydrated, homogenized, sediment and examined using light microscopy. The samples and eggs of parasites present were described, measured and photographed. Thirty-eight samples tested positive for the nematodes Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae Sutton & Hugot, 1989, Helminthoxys effilatus 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 differences of parasite occurrences through this temporal period were recorded. Parasitic life cycles and their presence along the studied period are so discussed.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182018001324