Ferreira L F, Araújo A, Confalonieri U, Chame M, Gomes D C
Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
J Parasitol. 1991 Jun;77(3):491-3.
Trichuris eggs were found in Kerodon rupestris (Rodentia, Caviidae) coprolites collected in archaeological layers dated from 30,000 yr BP (before present) to 8,450 yr BP. Adult worms and eggs of this genus were not found in a search of living mammals of the region. Results indicate that K. rupestris was a host for an unknown Trichuris species not found in this rodent presently. Climate changes that occurred by 10,000 yr ago in the region could be the cause of its disappearance. The finding of parasites in archaeological material can show the antiquity of host-parasite relationships and parasite losses through time.
在年代从距今30000年到8450年的考古层中采集的岩豚鼠（啮齿目，豚鼠科）粪便化石里发现了鞭虫卵。在对该地区现存哺乳动物的调查中未发现该属的成虫和虫卵。结果表明，岩豚鼠曾是一种目前在这种啮齿动物中未发现的未知鞭虫物种的宿主。该地区在10000年前发生的气候变化可能是其消失的原因。在考古材料中发现寄生虫可以揭示宿主 - 寄生虫关系的古老程度以及寄生虫随时间的消失情况。
