Publications by authors named "Beltrame Maria Ornela"

Parasites are ubiquitous in wildlife populations and have a profound impact on population dynamics. Interest in parasites of wildlife has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in those with relevant conservation status. Patagonia is one of the wildest and remote areas of the world.

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The optimization of techniques for recovering parasitic remains is key in paleoparasitology. The Mini-FLOTAC technique (MF) is based on passive flotation and is used for diagnosis of parasites and was never tested on ancient samples. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of MF in paleoparasitology, aiming at improving the techniques for the recovery of parasitic remains in order to upgrade the interpretative potential of the paleoparasitological evidence.

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Sheep husbandry in Patagonia, Argentina, started at the beginning of the 20th century from European settlers. Sanitary management is minimal, which has serious implications for the sheep health. Sheep can be infested by diverse parasites, with well over 150 species of internal and external parasites reported worldwide.

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In South America inhabit an endemic group of ungulates adapted to extreme environments: the South American camelids (SAC), a key component of the Andean biocultural heritage. Until today, SAC are the most important factor of Andean economies and social and ritual life. SAC include two wild species, the guanaco ( and the vicuña (, and two domestic species, the llama ( and the alpaca ( Endoparasitosis are one of the most common diseases in SAC, and have great economic and health relevance.

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Parasite remains in micromammal fecal pellets collected from the paleontological site "Cueva Peligro" (CP 43°40'18"S, 66°24'52"W), Chubut Province, Argentina, were examined. The samples were obtained from two grids, dated between 1220 ± 70C yr B.P.

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  • The study investigates the presence of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica in South America, suggesting it existed there as far back as 2300 years before present, challenging the assumption it arrived with Europeans in the 15th century.
  • Researchers used ancient DNA techniques to isolate and analyze eggs found in deer coprolites and confirmed their classification as F. hepatica based on mitochondrial gene sequencing.
  • This research is significant as it is the first to report the presence of this trematode in South America prior to European livestock introduction, providing insights into its historical distribution and evolution.
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  • * Researchers analyzed 84 fecal samples, identifying various parasite species, including specific types of nematodes and one anoplocephalid species.
  • * Notably, this research marks the first historical identification of the parasite H. effilatus, and it also discusses changes in parasite occurrences over time.
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  • The Somuncurá Plateau is a Protected Natural Area in northern Patagonia, home to over 20 small mammal species, showcasing high species richness.
  • A study focused on analyzing parasite remains from coprolites (fossilized poop) of micromammals found at a site on the plateau, examining samples from different historical time periods.
  • Two nematode species were identified for the first time in ancient samples, with findings providing insight into the relationship between mountain cavies and parasites during the Middle Holocene era.
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The narrow Andean-Patagonian temperate rainforest strip in the west of southern South America is inhabited by two endemic species of cervids, the southern pudu (Pudu puda) and the huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus), both cataloged as near threatened and threatened species, respectively. One of the possible causes of their declined number is the susceptibility to livestock diseases. Significant zooarchaeological records of both deer have been found throughout the Holocene from Patagonia.

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  • * The eggs were yellowish, thin-shelled, and measured between 120.0 to 142.5 μm in length and 62.5 to 87.5 μm in width, resembling those of Fasciola hepatica.
  • * This finding is the first of its kind globally and indicates that trematode diseases existed in ancient Patagonian deer before European cattle arrived.
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  • * A total of 56 well-preserved, brown, thick-shelled eggs were identified, with specific measurements and features indicating they belonged to the Class Archiacanthocephala, likely from the genus Macracanthorhynchus.
  • * This discovery marks the first documentation of small mammal acanthocephalans from ancient material globally.
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Results of paleoparasitological examination of rodent coprolites collected from archaeological and paleontological sites from Patagonia, Argentina, are present. Each coprolite was processed, rehydrated, homogenized, spontaneously sedimented and examined using light microscope. Coprolites and eggs were described, measured and photographed, and were compared with current faeces of Lagidium viscacia.

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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), an archaeological site that provides stratified sequences of archaeological and palaeontological remains dating from the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene Transition to the Late Holocene period. Twenty rodent coprolites collected from different sedimentary units from the site, with ages ranging from 13.844 ± 75-1.

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This paper presents the concentrations of total copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc in hepatopancreas of the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata from the Samborombón Bay (La Plata River estuary) and the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina. The highest accumulation of lead was observed in Mar Chiquita samples, whereas copper, zinc, and cadmium concentrations were higher in those from Samborombón Bay. Marked temporal and geographic availability differences were observed, while sexual differences only were observed for zinc.

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Feline coprolites were examined for parasites with the aim of studying ancient infections that occurred in the Patagonian region during the Holocene period. Eggs compatible to Trichuris sp., Calodium sp.

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The semiterrestrial burrowing crab Neohelice granulata is one of the main inhabitants of the supratidal and intertidal zones of brackish salt marshes, estuaries and coastal lagoons from South America's Atlantic littoral. A large population of this species spreads out Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (in Argentina) and its corresponding wetlands, and is considered as a key species within this system. Since high values of dissolved heavy metals (including Zn) have been recently reported within Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, with levels unusually higher than those from other coastal systems within Argentina, it has been explored that the existence of a risk of environmental conditions endanger these populations.

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Cadmium, chromium, copper, and manganese concentrations were determined in hepatopancreas of both sexes as well as in eggs at different embryonic development stages of the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata (Brachyura, Varunidae) from Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon, a biosphere reserve from Argentina, during a period of 1 year, to assess the bioaccumulation of metals associated with sex and seasonality. Furthermore, metal levels in associated superficial sediment samples were also determined. Two different "cangrejales," one in a mudflat and another one in a salt marsh, were studied.

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