Paleoparasitological analysis on animal-origin coprolites from the Moche archaeological site Licapa II, Chicama Valley, Peru (450–900 AD)

Paleoparasitological research has allowed the recovery and identification of parasite structures like helminth eggs, protozoan oocysts, arthropod remains, as well as parasite ancient DNA molecules preserved in human and animal-origin archaeological material from Peruvian contexts. However, these studies are still scarce in the region despite its potential to trace parasite infections and diseases through history, and to help understand ecological relationships in the past. Here, we examined 36 coprolites from rodents and South American camelids recovered from a test pit, through light microscopy-based paleoparasitological methods, in order to characterize the parasite diversity existing at the Licapa II Moche site. The results allowed us to identify six parasite taxa, including <i>Eimeria macusaniensis</i>, acantocephala, strongylids, Dioctophymatidae, possibly <i>Paraspidodera</i> sp. and <i>Diphyllobotrium</i>/<i>Adenocephalus</i>. One of these species, <i>E. macusaniensis</i>, allowed us to confirm the zooarchaeological origin of some coprolites as belonging to South American camelids. The urbanization and certain practices, such as the breeding of these animals by Andean societies, would explain the occurrence of these parasites at the site, while also prompting consideration of their potential effects on the health of camelids and rodents, in which parasite disease is today a major concern. Similarly, they suggest risks of zoonotic diseases to which the people who lived there in the past may have been exposed.