First Evidence of Holocene Rodent Parasites from the Argentine Puna
A Paleoparasitological Study of Coprolites from Alero Caído 1 Archaeological Site (Susques, Jujuy)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8133550 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Valeria A M Rodríguez (National University of Mar del Plata), Tietze Eleonor (0000-0001-7166-5470, National University of Mar del Plata), Eleonor Tietze (Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Silvana Valeria Urquiza (0000-0002-3425-7088, Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán), Silvana Urquiza (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), María Ornela Beltrame (0000-0002-7665-8576, National University of Mar del Plata, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-10 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-26 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Archaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1461-4103 • E-ISSN: 1749-6314 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14614103.2026.2633784 |
| OpenAlex | W7133787910 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 29 |
This study presents the first paleoparasitological investigation of rodent coprolites from the Argentine Puna, a high-altitude arid region of the Central Andes. Sixty-six coprolites recovered from the Alero Caído 1 archaeological site (Jujuy Province, Argentina) were morphologically described and microscopically examined. The coprolites were recovered from six stratigraphic levels (Levels 1–6), corresponding to Holocene occupations of the site. Three coprolite morphotypes were identified. Fifteen samples (23%) were positive to parasitic remains. The parasite taxa found were: Trichuris sp., Paraspidodera sp., Helminthoxys sp., Monoecocestus sp., Viscachataenia quadrata, and Strongylus-type eggs. Morphological and parasitological evidence suggest that the coprolites originated from different rodent taxa: myomorph rodents (Cricetidae) for Morphotype 1, and caviomorph rodents (Caviomorpha), particularly the mountain viscacha (Lagidium viscacia) and likely Octodontidae species, for Morphotypes 2 and 3. These findings extend the known geographic distribution of ancient parasites in South America and provide novel insights into rodent diversity, host–parasite relationships, and paleoecological conditions in high-altitude Andean environments. The results highlight the potential of rodent coprolites as paleoecological archives for reconstructing faunal communities, biocultural interactions, and environmental dynamics in prehistoric Andean landscapes.
Fauna · Holocene · Paleoecology · Rodent · Taphonomy · Zooarchaeology · Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases
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La transición de cazadores-recolectores a sociedades agropastoriles en Antofagasta de la Sierra (Puna de Catamarca, Argentina)
Arqueología De Las Ocupaciones Cazadoras-Recolectoras De Fines Del Holoceno Medio De Antofagasta De La Sierra (Puna Meridional Argentina)
Parasitology as an Interpretive Tool in Archaeology
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |