Syphacia sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) in coprolites of Kerodon rupestris Wied, 1820 (Rodentia: Caviidae) from 5,300 years BP in northeastern Brazil

Researchers have uncovered the first ancient record of Syphacia sp., a parasitic nematode, in rodent coprolites from northeastern Brazil. Analyzing 5,300-year-old fecal remains of Kerodon rupestris—a rock-dwelling caviid—excavated at Toca dos Coqueiros within Serra da Capivara National Park, the team identified eggs belonging to this oxyurid genus. This discovery marks a significant paleoparasitological finding in the Americas, shedding light on historical parasite-host dynamics and ancient ecosystems in Brazil's semiarid regions.

Souza, M. V. d., Sianto, L., Chame, M., Ferreira, L. F., & Araújo, A. (2012). Syphacia sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) in coprolites of Kerodon rupestris Wied, 1820 (Rodentia: Caviidae) from 5,300 years BP in northeastern Brazil. Memórias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 107(4), 539–542. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762012000400015