Techniques of DNA-studies on prehispanic ectoparasites (Pulex sp., Pulicidae, Siphonaptera) from animal mummies of the Chiribaya Culture, Southern Peru
AUTOR(ES)
Dittmar, K, Mamat, U, Whiting, M, Goldmann, T, Reinhard, K, Guillen, S
FONTE
Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2003-01
RESUMO
During a paleoparasitological survey of several animal mummies (Cavia aperea f. porcellus and Canis familiaris) from Chiribaya Baja, an archaeological site in Southern Peru, an unexpected find was made. In the well preserved fur, large numbers of mummified fleas (Pulex simulans/irritans)that parasitized the animals during life were encountered. Due to the relative recent event of the host mummification and the outstanding preservation of the fleas, an attempt for the retrieval of DNA was made. A DNA extraction and sequencing protocol for archaeological ectoparasitic remains has been established, taking additional studies for tissue and protein preservation into account. Tissue preservation was assessed with transmission electron microscopy and the protein preservation was tested through the racemisation ratios of aspartic acid. Regions of the 28S rDNA gene were successfully amplified and sequenced. Further research perspectives are outlined.
Documentos Relacionados
- Louse infestation of the Chiribaya Culture, Southern Peru: variation in prevalence by age and sex
- New records of bat ectoparasites (Diptera, Hemiptera and Siphonaptera) from northern Argentina
- Activity of neonicotinoid dinotefuran on Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)
- Infestation of Rhynchopsyllus pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) on Molossus molossus (Chiroptera) in Southestern Brazil
- Campylobacter like organisms on the gastric mucosa: culture, histological, and serological studies.