The aim of this study was to examine the parasite remains present in rodent coprolites collected from the archaeological
site Alero Destacamento Guardaparque (ADG) located in the Perito Moreno National Park (Santa
Cruz Province, 47º57'S 72º05'W). Forty-eight coprolites were obtained from the layers 7, 6 and 5 of ADG, dated at
6,700 ± 70, 4,900 ± 70 and 3,440 ± 70 years BP, respectively. The faecal samples were processed and examined using
paleoparasitological procedures. A total of 582 eggs of parasites were found in 47 coprolites. Samples were positive
for eggs of
Trichuris
sp. (Nematoda: Trichuridae),
Calodium
sp.,
Eucoleus
sp.,
Echinocoleus
sp. and an unidentified
capillariid (Nematoda: Capillariidae) and for eggs of
Monoecocestus
(Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae). Quantitative
differences among layer for both coprolites and parasites were recorded. In this study, the specific filiations of parasites,
their zoonotic importance, the rodent identity, on the basis of previous zooarchaeological knowledge, and the
environmental conditions during the Holocene in the area are discussed.
