Nematode Larvae in Fossilized Animal Coprolites from Lower and Middle Pleistocene Sites, Central Italy

Abstract

Nematode larvae were found in mineralized animal coprolites collected in lower and middle Pleistocene sites, central Italy. Coprolites collected in 4 paleontological sites dated from 1.5 million years to 30,000 years ago were identified as of Hyaenidae (Mammalia, Carnivora). Checklists available for present-day Hyaenidae did not permit identification of the larvae found. This is one of the most ancient parasite findings in coprolites.

Parasitism, the diversity of life, and paleoparasitology

“…Nevertheless parasitic remains have been found in paleontological sites, 1,5 million years old as well as in 500,000 years old preserved organic material (Ferreira et al 1993, Jouy-Avantin et al 1999). Parasites and their remnants can be detected in dried or mineralized coprolites, in archaeological or paleontological sites, and inside mummified corpses.…”

Epidemiologia: contextos e pluralidade

“…A conservação de estágios evolutivos de parasitos em material arqueológico e paleontológico, bem como o desenvolvimento de técnicas de exame paleoparasitológico têm possibilitado o diagnóstico de infecções parasitárias em coprólitos tão antigos quanto 1,5 milhões de anos (Ferreira et al, 1993). Entretanto, coprólitos conservados pela dessecação, com datações entre trinta mil anos até o passado bem mais recente constituem a grande parte do material analisado.…”

“…A dessecação permite a conservação de múmias e coprólitos em estado orgânico, sendo eventual o exame parasitológico de coprólitos mineralizados (Ferreira et al, 1993).…”

Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) eggs in the Pleistocene site of Menez-Dregan, France (300,000-500,000 years before present)

“…Previously parasite eggs and larvae were found in Pleistocene coprolites (Ferreira et al 1993, Jouy-Avantin et al 1999. The archaeological site of Menez-Dregan shows environmental aspects different from the sites located in dry mountain regions, such as Fontana Acetosa, Costa San Giacoma, Central Italy (Ferreira et al 1993), and La Caune d'Arago, France (Jouy-Avantin et al 1999).…”

“…This extinct species is close to present-day African spotted-hyena C. crocuta, which is found infected by T. canis, Taenia crocutae, Diphyllobothrium sp., Toxascaris sp., Cyclicospirura sp., and Dipylidium sp. (Ferreira et al 1993). This hunter-scavenger, large, carnivore seemed to occupy the same habitat and ecological niche as humans in the past.…”