Browsing by Author "Nores, Rodrigo"

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    Gastrointestinal parasites in ancient South American camelid feces from the Atacama Desert (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapaca, northern Chile)
    (2023) Ramirez, Dario Alejandro; Herrera-Soto, Maria Jose; Andreu, Josefina Gonzalez; Santana-Sagredo, Francisca; Uribe Rodriguez, Mauricio; Nores, Rodrigo
    Faunal remains from archeological sites worldwide, especially feces and regurgitated pellets, are usually subjected to paleoparasitological examination, allowing the identification of past animal parasites. In this study, we analyzed 10 samples of South American camelid dung, which played an important role for the ancient human groups in the South-Central Andes, dated between 341 and 1635 calCE, from the Iluga Tumulos site (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapaca region, Atacama Desert, Chile). Microscopy examination revealed parasite remains in seven samples, in which oocysts of Eimeria macusaniensis and eggs of Lamanema chavezi/Nematodirus lamae, Trichuris sp., Moniezia sp., capillariids, strongylids, and unidentified nematodes were found. Although some of these species pose a potential health risk to camelids, most are not considered to be of major zoonotic importance, which could explain the absence of these parasites on human coprolites from this site analyzed previously. This first paleoparasitological study on camelid fecal remains from northern Chile sheds light on the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites and its relationship with Andean ancient human populations and the environment.
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    Parasites in the Atacama Desert: New insights into the lifestyles of ancient human populations (3000-500 BP)
    (2021) Alejandro Ramirez, Dario; Jose Herrera-Soto, Maria; Santana-Sagredo, Francisca; Uribe-Rodriguez, Mauricio; Nores, Rodrigo
    Paleoparasitological studies have provided insights into ancient parasite occurrence and its relationship to the health, lifestyle, and cultural practices of past populations. We analyzed 26 human coprolites and digestive tract contents, most of them contained in mummified human bodies, from coastal and inland archaeological sites in the Atacama Desert (3000-500 BP), to test for gastrointestinal parasites. We rehydrated and sedimented the samples to concentrate the micro-remains and then conducted light microscopy examination and paleogenetic analysis. The microscopy analysis allowed us to recover helminth eggs of five different taxa in seven samples, attributed to Diphyllobotrium sp., Dipylidium caninum, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris sp., and possible strongylid. PCR amplification yielded negative results in all cases. Results suggest a low parasite burden relating to infection with pinworms, whipworms, and possible strongylids, as well as an absence of infection in most of the individuals. The presence of Diphyllobotrium sp. in coastal sites is associated with the consumption of insufficiently cooked fish resources. The occurrence of D. caninum in an inland site may indicate cohabitation with dogs and/or wild canids. These findings contribute to knowledge of parasite occurrence in human groups from the southern Andes and its relationship with the environment and the cultural practices involved.