Gastrointestinal parasites of the camelids of the archaeological site of Huanchaquito (Peru): first results.

Summary

The health status of domestic’s camelids is an original research topic in the past Central Andes. The discovery of more than 200 well preserved camelids in Huanchaquito in the northern coast of Peru was the opportunity to perform paleoparasitological analyses on twenty samples taken from preserved intestines and faeces recovered during the excavations. Extractions of the parasites using RHM standard protocol raised to the observation in 55% of the samples of several helminth taxa belonging to the orders of Trichocephalida and Echinostomida. In addition, 45% of the studied individuals tested positive to coccidian (protozoa) belonging to the Eimeiriidae family. Size of the oocysts showed important variation probably due to the presence of several species. Four Eimeria sp. species are known today by camelids, among which E. macusaniensis, potential lethal for llamas. This new data shows the high level of infection of camelids and brings new perspectives on the herd health status, the living conditions of these animals, and the Chimú herding practices.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Ecological Adaptations and New Forms of Pastoralism? New Insights into Herding Practices in the Andes during the Prehispanic Times

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16733