Abstract
We perform the first multidisciplinary study of parasites from an extinct megafaunal clade using coprolites from the New Zealand moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes). Ancient DNA and microscopic analyses of 84 coprolites deposited by four moa species (South Island giant moa, Dinornis robustus; little bush moa, Anomalopteryx didiformis; heavy-footed moa, Pachyornis elephantopus; and upland moa, Megalapteryx didinus) reveal an array of gastrointestinal parasites including coccidians (Cryptosporidium and members of the suborder Eimeriorina), nematodes (Heterakoidea, Trichostrongylidae, Trichinellidae) and a trematode (Echinostomida). Parasite eggs were most prevalent and diverse in coprolites from lowland sites, where multiple sympatric moa species occurred and host density was therefore probably higher. Morphological and phylogenetic evidence supports a possible vicariant Gondwanan origin for some of the moa parasites. The discovery of apparently host-specific parasite taxa suggests paleoparasitological studies of megafauna coprolites may provide useful case-studies of coextinction.
Highlights
IntroductionCoprolites (preserved faecal boli) are rich sources of paleoecological information. Historically, the main focus of coprolite studies has been dietary reconstruction [1,2,3,4,5]
Coprolites are rich sources of paleoecological information
Parasite Assemblage The parasite groups identified from the moa coprolites have all been recorded previously from New Zealand birds [33] and are typical of parasites recorded from extant ratites [34,35]
Summary
Coprolites (preserved faecal boli) are rich sources of paleoecological information. Historically, the main focus of coprolite studies has been dietary reconstruction [1,2,3,4,5]. Identification of parasites in coprolites can provide information on the ecology [17], population dynamics [18] and diseases of prehistoric animals, and the evolution of hostparasite relationships [19,20]. The potential benefits of aDNA analysis, when used in conjunction with conventional microscopic techniques, include better taxonomic resolution ( if only eggs are present) and detection of very small parasites (e.g. Apicomplexa) or those with fragile thin-walled eggs (e.g. Strongylus) that may not preserve intact in coprolites [6]. Paleoparasitological analysis of extinct animal coprolites can inform us about host-parasite relationships, but may be able to shed new light on biodiversity loss due to the process of coextinction where parasitic and mutualistic taxa disappear along with their host taxon. The relative importance of coextinction in total biodiversity loss is poorly understood due to a lack of empirical data [22], but analysis of coprolites may provide a way to obtain such data
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