Evidence of eared doves consumption and the potential toxic exposure during the Regional Development period in Quito-Ecuador.

Throughout history, food has played a fundamental role in the development of societies. An understanding of the diets of different cultures and their impact on health can provide valuable insights into their lifestyle. The identification of the animal remains found within two vessels is reported and, in addition, an assessment of whether the diet and soil composition of the period may be associated with toxic elements was carried out.

The micro from mega: Dental calculus description and the first record of fossilized oral bacteria from an extinct proboscidean.

Objective: This study explores the chemical composition and surface aspects of fossilized dental calculus from the South American Quaternary proboscidean Notiomastodon platensis and the first record of fossilized oral bacteria from extinct megafauna.

Materials: Blocks of dental calculus removed from the third molar of five specimens of Notiomastodon platensis collected from Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador.

Methods: We analyzed five samples of dental calculus by SEM and SEM-EDS, following a rigid protocol to avoid bacterial contamination.