The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in rodent coprolites collected from Cueva Huenul 1 (CH1), northern Neuquén (Patagonia, Argentina) (Mammalia, Rodentia, Caviomorpha, Chinchillidae). The life cycles of these parasites are discussed.Key words: palaeoparasitology -Patagonia -rodent coprolites -Viscachataenia quadrata -Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciaeThe relevance of rodents as hosts in parasite life cycles, including those of zoonotic importance, has been fully recognised (Miyazaki 1991, Perkins et al. 2005, Morand et al. 2006. During the past few years, several samples of rodent coprolites and remains of rodents found in regurgitated pellets collected from several archaeological sites in Patagonia, Argentina, were examined for parasites. These samples span the Late Quaternary period, from the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition to the Late Holocene. Positive results were obtained for the nematodes Trichuris sp., Capillaria spp, Calodium sp., Eucoleus sp., Echinocoleus sp., Trichosomoides sp., Pterygodermatites sp., Paraspidodera sp. and Heteroxynema sp. and for Monoecocestus sp. and one taeniid (cestodes) (Fugassa 2006a, b, Fugassa & Barberena 2006, Fugassa et al. 2007, Sardella & Fugassa 2009a, b, 2011, Sardella et al. 2010, Beltrame et al. 2011.Recently, new research was initiated at Cueva Huenul 1 (CH1) (36º56'45"S 69º47'32"W), northern Neuquén (Patagonia, Argentina) ( Fig. 1), an archaeological cave that provides a stratified sedimentary sequence ranging from the Late Pleistocene to the Late Holocene and in which well-preserved coprolites were found. The excavations provided a 1.4-m sequence composed of two sets The radiocarbon dates of these units range between 13.844 ± 75-11.841 ± 56 years BP. In contrast, the second stratigraphic set (units IV-I) has a lower abundance of organic matter, with predominant aeolian sedimentation and is dated between 9.531 ± 39-1.416 ± 37 years BP. The site presents evidence of a very brief, but redundant use of the cave by humans (Barberena et al. 2010) during different stages of the human settlement of northern Patagonia. This paper presents the first palaeoparasitological examination of the coprolites of CH1.The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in rodent coprolites collected from CH1 and to identify the parasitic remains and the host origin of the faeces to assess the parasite life cycles and the importance of rodents in the area studied. In conjunction with other analyses currently in progress, this study will contribute to a palaeoecological reconstruction of Patagonian ecosystems through time.
MAteRiAlS ANd MetHOdSTwenty rodent coprolites obtained from different units (II, V, VI and VII) of CH1 were examined for parasites. The coprolites were inventoried and processed individually (Fugassa 2006b). The examination, consisting of the external observation of the faeces, was conducted according to Chame (2003) and Jouy-Avantin (2003). Each coprolite was fully processed by rehydration in a 0.5% aqueous tri...
