Analysis Of Coprolites Research Articles

DNA metabarcoding and macroremains from coprolites reveal insights into Middle and Late Holocene inhabitants of Bonneville Estates Rockshelter, Nevada

The analysis of coprolites provides direct evidence of resources consumed and may be paired with ethnographic data to elucidate the dietary and medicinal use of plants in archaeological communities. This article combines and contrasts the macroscopic analysis and DNA metabarcoding of 10 coprolites from Bonneville Estates Rockshelter, Nevada, USA. While the results from both methods confirm previous understandings of subsistence practices at the site, minimal overlap in identified taxa suggests that each accesses different components of the consumed material. The two methods should therefore be seen as complementary and employed together, where possible.

Balkan Neanderthals: The Late Pleistocene palaeoecological sequence of Pešturina Cave (Niš, Serbia)

The Central Balkans are a key biogeographical region in Southern Europe, influenced by a central European-Mediterranean climate, which acted as a refugium for flora and fauna, and favored the dispersion of Neanderthals and migration of modern human populations during Late Glacial Period. This study presents pollen analyses of sediment and hyaena coprolites from Pešturina Cave in Serbia to reconstruct the vegetation landscapes faced by Balkan Neanderthals and early Anatomically Modern Humans between MIS 5e-3. Between MIS 5e-5c (archaeological layers 4c and 4b) and MIS 5b-5a (layer 4a), semi-forested environments prevailed, characterized by Pinus, deciduous Quercus, Tilia and other angiosperm woody taxa, accompanied by heliophytes such as Artemisia and Poaceae. During MIS 4-3 (layers 3-2), the vegetation was dominated by Artemisia-Poaceae steppes with Quercus patches, conifers and legumes. Overall across the sequence, pollen assemblages are highly diverse and include a number of deciduous trees and sclerophylls. In addition, the occurrence of several herbaceous taxa reinforces the view that the Balkans were outstanding for endemicity. Neanderthals and early Upper Palaeolithic hominins lived in a highly diverse refugium, offering multiple opportunities for survival during the warm interstadials and, more critically, the cold stadials of the Pleistocene.

Metagenomic analyses of 7000 to 5500 years old coprolites excavated from the Torihama shell-mound site in the Japanese archipelago.

Coprolites contain various kinds of ancient DNAs derived from gut micro-organisms, viruses, and foods, which can help to determine the gut environment of ancient peoples. Their genomic information should be helpful in elucidating the interaction between hosts and microbes for thousands of years, as well as characterizing the dietary behaviors of ancient people. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing on four coprolites excavated from the Torihama shell-mound site in the Japanese archipelago. The coprolites were found in the layers of the Early Jomon period, corresponding stratigraphically to 7000 to 5500 years ago. After shotgun sequencing, we found that a significant number of reads showed homology with known gut microbe, viruses, and food genomes typically found in the feces of modern humans. We detected reads derived from several types of phages and their host bacteria simultaneously, suggesting the coexistence of viruses and their hosts. The food genomes provide biological evidence for the dietary behavior of the Jomon people, consistent with previous archaeological findings. These results indicate that ancient genomic analysis of coprolites is useful for understanding the gut environment and lifestyle of ancient peoples.

MINIMALLY DESTRUCTIVE RADIOCARBON DATING OF CAPRINE DUNG

ABSTRACTArchaeological dung pellets are time capsules of ancient herbivore diets and gut flora, informing on past agropastoral activity, ecology, and animal health. Improving multi-proxy approaches is key to maximizing this finite archaeological resource. Through experiments with standard pretreatments used in radiocarbon (14C) dating, we address a fundamental problem in maximal multi-proxy analysis: How to chronometrically date individual caprine pellets while conserving as much as possible for additional analyses? We applied acid-alkali-acid (AAA) or acid-only pretreatments to 37 samples of ancient and recent sheep/goat dung pellets from sites in the Negev desert, Israel, measuring weight-loss due to pretreatment. Shavings of outer surfaces and remaining inner pellets of four pairs were dated and compared. We found that (i) sample-specific factors affect pretreatment survivability, including preservation quality and initial sample size; (ii) given sufficient start weight, AAA can be used to pretreat sheep/goat coprolites; (iii) 100 mg appeared a desirable minimum sample weight before pretreatment; and (iv) shavings of coprolites’ outer surface produced 14C dates equivalent to dates obtained from inner coprolites. Whereas standard coprolite analysis protocols discard shavings removed from outer surfaces to avoid contamination, our findings indicate their efficacy for 14C dating. This offers an important addition to workflows for multi-proxy coprolite analysis.

METACERCARIAE IN COPROLITES OF SEALS OF THE GENUS <i>PACHYPHOCA</i> (CYSTOPHORINAE, PHOCIDAE) FROM THE LATE MIOCENE OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS

Coprolites of the seal Pachyphoca volkodavi from the Upper Miocene deposits (Kherson) of the Fortepyanka locality (Republic of Adygea) were studied. Two out of five seal coprolites contained a structure resembling fish muscle tissue and included objects with morphology of trematode metacercariae. Obviously, the larvae of the parasite got into the digestive tract of seals from the fish they eat. Microscopic analysis of coprolites did not reveal helminth eggs, which indicates a possible absence of infection.

Sequential biomolecular, macrofossil, and microfossil extraction from coprolites for reconstructing past behavior and environments

The study of macroscopic, microscopic, and biomolecular remains recovered from coprolites can provide a wide range of information on past human and animal behavior and environments. In earlier studies, research tended to focus on one or two proxies, but multiproxy approaches combining data from all remains within coprolites are becoming more common. Multiproxy analyses have demonstrated value for strengthening our understanding of the past and reducing equifinality. Here we present a sequential biomolecular, macrofossil, and microfossil extraction protocol that separates all different coprolite components and is intended as a best-practice guideline for coprolite analysis. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method by applying it to an assemblage of coprolites from the Paisley Caves, Oregon, USA. By combining a wide range of proxies, this study provides important information on the taxonomy and behavior of organisms in the past as well as the paleoecological context of behavior.

Ancient and modern scats record broken ecological interactions and a decline in dietary breadth of the critically endangered kākāpō parrot (Strigops habroptilus)

Threatened animal taxa are often absent from most of their original habitats, meaning their ecological niche cannot be fully captured by contemporary data alone. Although DNA metabarcoding of scats and coprolites (palaeofaeces) can identify the past and present species interactions of their depositors, the usefulness of coprolites in conservation biology is untested as few endangered taxa have known coprolite records. Here, we perform multilocus metabarcoding sequencing and palynological analysis of dietary plants of >100 coprolites (estimated to date from c. 400–1900 A.D.) and > 100 frozen scats (dating c. 1950 A.D. to present) of the critically endangered, flightless, herbivorous kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus), a species that disappeared from its natural range in Aotearoa-New Zealand (NZ) after the 13th C. A.D. We identify 24 orders, 56 families and 67 native plant genera unrecorded in modern kākāpō diets (increases of 69, 108 and 75% respectively). We found that southern beeches (Nothofagaceae), which are important canopy-forming trees and not an important kākāpō food today, dominated kākāpō diets in upland (c. >900 m elevation) habitats. We also found that kākāpō frequently consumed hemiparasitic mistletoes (Loranthaceae) and the holoparasitic wood rose (Dactylanthus taylorii), taxa which are nutrient rich, and now threatened by mammalian herbivory and a paucity of dispersers and pollinators. No single dataset or gene identified all taxa in our dataset, demonstrating the value of multiproxy or multigene datasets in studies of animal diets. Our results highlight how contemporary data may considerably underestimate the full dietary breadth of threatened species and demonstrate the potential value of coprolite analysis in conservation biology.

Paleoparasitological study of avian trace fossils from the Tremembé Formation (Oligocene of the Taubaté Basin), São Paulo, Brazil

Coprolites are promising tools for the understanding of paleoecological and paleoenvironmental aspects. Through its chemical composition and analysis of micro- and macrostructures, it is possible to obtain information about the diet of ancient animals and insights into the climate and vegetation of paleoenvironments. Paleoparasitological analysis of these trace fossils help to understand the parasite-host relationship and how parasitic infections were processed in the past. The present study aims to identify helminths in coprolites of the Tremembé Formation (Oligocene of the Taubaté Basin, São Paulo). Furthermore, we included the descriptive association of the paleoparasitological data with the paleoenvironmental information present in the literature for this geological formation. Eggs were identified through linear morphometry and morphology. The paleoparasitological analysis revealed the presence of Nematode eggs of Ascaridina, Spirurina, and Trichocephalida, with a prevalence of 5% for each group. The complex life cycle of some nematodes would be made possible by the wide faunal diversity of birds, fish, and arthropods that inhabited the Tremembé paleolake. The low prevalence of helminths in the samples may be related to taphonomic processes. This study represents the first paleoparasitological analysis of avian coprolites from the Tremembé Formation. In addition, the finding of these helminth records creates new perspectives for the studies of this geological unit through the epidemiological point of view associated with the local paleofauna and also provides new subsidies for the further development of evolutionary and biogeographic helminth studies.

Tooth chipping patterns in Archaeolemur provide insight into diet and behavior.

Archaeolemur is a recently extinct genus of lemur that is often compared to some Cercopithecidae, especially baboons. This is due in part to their derived dentition, with large anterior teeth and reduced bilophodont molars. Research involving comparative morphology, analysis of coprolites, isotopes, and enamel structure, have suggested Archaeolemur had an omnivorous diet involving mechanically challenging items. Yet, microwear analysis of posterior teeth does not necessarily support this conclusion. In this macroscopic study, dental chipping was recorded on permanent teeth of Archaeolemur from different localities (53 individuals; 447 permanent teeth; including both A. edwardsi and A. majori specimens). This study aimed to compare chipping patterns across the dentition of Archaeolemur with chipping in other primates. The results show enamel chipping was prevalent on the anterior teeth of Archaeolemur (38.9% of anterior teeth showed at least one fracture) yet rare in posterior teeth (9%). There was a decrease in chipping frequency across the dentition, moving distally from incisors (50%; 20/40), through caniniform teeth (30%; 15/50), premolars (9.5%; 16/169), and molars (8.5%; 16/188). The results support previous research suggesting Archaeolemur had a varied omnivorous diet in which the anterior dentition was used for extensive food processing. This likely included mechanically challenging items such as tough/hard large fruits, small vertebrates, and crustaceans. Such a high rate of chipping in the anterior dentition is uncommon in other primates, with exception of hominins.

Silvopastoralism and the shaping of forest patches in the Atacama Desert during the Formative Period (ca. 3000–1500 years BP)

During the Formative period by the Late-Holocene (ca. 3000–1500 BP), semi-sedentary and sedentary human occupations had emerged in the oases, salares, and riverine systems in the central depression (2400–1000 masl) of the Atacama Desert, northern Chile (19–25°S). This hyperarid core was marginally occupied during the post-Pleistocene and middle Holocene droughts. Settlement on these lower belts was accompanied by a rise in humidity, the introduction of Andean crops, flourishment of Prosopis spp. (algarrobo) forests, and increasing integration of domestic camelid caravans. Here, we explore lowland husbandry within risk-spreading strategies, focusing on silvopastoralism and endozoochory between camelids and algarrobos. Analysis of camelid coprolites from seven archeological sites located in the Pampa del Tamarugal, Loa River, and Salar de Atacama found intense grinding from camelid chewing and indicated a ruminal digestive system. Abundant macro and microremains in the form of tissues, phytoliths, crystals, cell structures, and others, were identified as Prosopis, Atriplex, Schoenoplectus, Distichlis, and Phragmites. We conclude that camelids were foraging for Prosopis, although the rather low number of entire seeds preserved in the coprolites leads us to think that these herbivores might not have been the main vectors for the spread and germination of algarrobos. More samples and interdisciplinary studies are needed to comprehend the complex socioecological web in the shaping of these forests and the management of the Atacama Desert landscapes.

New insights into the palaeodiet and paleoenvironment of the camelids (Lama guanicoe) based on a palynological analysis of mid-Holocene coprolites from Cueva Milodon Norte 1, Pueyrredón Lake, Patagonia, Argentina

The coprolites of archeological sites offer information about the paleobiology of organisms and paleoenvironment. Camelids were one of the main resources of hunter-gatherers inhabiting Patagonia and, therefore, the studies of the behavior of camelids from the Holocene are essential to increase the knowledge of human group dynamics. The aim of this study was to identify palaeodiet food items from the camelids in the Pueyrredón Lake area (Santa Cruz, Argentina) after the Hudson volcanic eruption (7800 cal. BP), and to contribute to the knowledge of the vegetation in the camelid home range. Camelid coprolites were collected from four archeological layers, which were dated between 5900 and 6260 cal. BP, in the site Cueva Milodón Norte 1 (47°00’S–72°15’W), in the area of the Pueyrredón Lake. Today, the vegetation of the area consists of a shrub-grass steppe near a deciduous forest of Nothofagus pumilio. According to a palynological analysis of coprolites, the dominant pollen types were Nothofagus, Asteraceae subf. Asteroideae, Cerastium and Poaceae, with concentrations of 24,000 to 111,000 grains/g. Among the putative diet items, pollen types with zoophilous dispersal were Asteraceae subf. Asteroideae, Cerastium and Acaena, while those with anemophilous dispersal were Poaceae and Nothofagus. The taxa currently growing in the Nothofagus forest include Onagraceae, Lathyrus and pteridophytes, such as Blechnum. The presence of these pollen types and spores suggests the use of the steppe and the forest by camelids in search of food.

The Technological Advance and Application of Coprolite Analysis

Coprolites (mummified or fossilized feces), belonging to the group of ichnofossils, are fossilized remains of feces produced by animals. Various types of data from coprolites provide detailed evidence of the producer’s condition, like diet, intestinal microbiome, virus infection and parasites diseases. In addition, the palaeoenvironment information relevant to producers’ ecological niche can be drawn from taphonomy details the coprolites mirrored. At present, the phylogenetic clues of the producer’s population can be determined by advanced molecular biotechnologies. With the integration of multiple methods and techniques, coprolite has been widely accepted as an ideal material to study the diet, evolution, and palaeoenvironment of producers. In this paper, we reviewed the history of coprolite research, enumerated and interpreted the data recovered from coprolites, and explained their research value to palaeocoprology and evolutionary biology. Finally, we summarized the current directions of coprolite research and looked into its future prospects.

New observations from the intestinal fauna of Kerodon rupestris (Wied, 1820) (Rodentia, Cavidae), Brazil: a checklist spanning 30,000 years of parasitism.

This checklist of parasites of Kerodon rupestris, an endemic rodent from the Brazilian semiarid region, revealed records of 25 enteroparasite taxa comprising Cestoda (Anoplocephalidae), Trematoda, Acanthocephala and Nematoda (Ancylostomidae, Ascarididae, Heterakidae, Oxyuridae, Pharyngodonidae, Trichuridae, Capillariidae, Trichostrongylidae, and Strongyloididae), and two taxa of coccidian. Paleoparasitological and parasitological studies published until 2019 were assessed in the present study and locality information, site of infection, sample dating, and host data were summarized from each reference. Analyses of recent feces and coprolites revealed the highest species richness in the Piauí State. The chronological data corroborated that Trichuris spp. and oxyurids are part of the parasitic fauna of K. rupestris. This represents the first checklist of intestinal parasites from K. rupestris.

First Find of Eggs of the Nematode Baylisascaris transfuga Rudolphi, 1819 (Ascaridoidea, Nematoda) in the Late Pleistocene.

The article presents the findings of the paleoparasitological analysis of coprolites from the cave bear (Ursus kanivetz Vereshchagin, 1973). The material for research was obtained during excavations in the Ignatievskaya Cave (Southern Urals, Russia; 54°53' N 57°46' E). The deposits with coprolites date back to the middle of the Late Pleistocene (90 000-30 000 years ago). On the basis of the paleoparasitological analysis, eggs of the nematode characteristic of representatives of Ursidae, namely, Baylisascaris transfuga Rudolphi, 1819, have been established to be present in the coprolites. The eggs are well preserved and have not lost their morphological features. The large cave bear was infested by the nematode B. transfuga. This is the first find of the nematode B. transfuga in Pleistocene-aged sediments and the first find of parasites in coprolites of the cave bear.

Multiproxy analysis of omnivore and herbivore coprolites: Inferences on Mid-Holocene dietary habits in Argentine Patagonia

Learning about past biological interactions is possible thanks to the study of trace fossils, such as coprolites found in archaeological sites. The multiproxy analysis of coprolites may provide evidence of direct and indirect consumption of diet items and thus reconstructing the ecological dynamics of past ecosystems. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of the content of plant fragments, pollen and silica phytoliths in coprolites found in the archaeological site Cerro Casa de Piedra 5 (47°57′S; 72°05′W), located in the Perito Moreno National Park, Santa Cruz, Argentina, in an archaeological layer dated to 6540 ± 110 years 14C BP (7402 cal years BP), with the aim to recognize dietary habits in those times. According to their morphological features and content, the coprolites were assigned to omnivores (humans/canids) and herbivores (camelids). The multiproxy analysis of these coprolites allowed us to reach a higher taxonomic resolution in the identification of some plant items in the diet, to make inferences on the indirect consumption of vegetation through the consumption of stomachs and other viscera of camelids by omnivores, and to observe similarities and complementarities in terms of the presence and abundance of taxa. The limitations and potentialities of multiproxy analysis to infer past dietary habits are discussed. The information obtained provides greater knowledge about the predator-prey interactions of the Middle Holocene in south-western Patagonia.

Morphological and compositional analyses of coprolites from the Upper Cretaceous Bauru Group reveal dietary habits of notosuchian fauna

The fluvial deposits of the Adamantina Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Bauru Group) have produced a rich fossil vertebrate record of fishes, amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, dinosaurs and mammals. However, the record of notosuchians (Crocodylomorpha) is remarkable in terms of both diversity and number of findings. Here, we report a large number of new coprolites found in association with skeletons of crocodylomorphs from the Adamantina Formation in the cities of Jales and Fernandópolis, São Paulo State, Brazil, and discuss their meaning for the understanding of feeding habits of their producers. The coprolites from Jales were found mostly together with adult skeletons of baurusuchids and crocodylomorph egg clutches, while the coprolites from Fernandópolis are associated with adult sphagesaurids and juvenile and adult baurusuchid skeletons, and rare crocodylomorph egg clutches. Forty-one coprolites were analysed encompassing different degrees of preservation. The X-ray diffraction showed the coprolites are comprised mainly of fluorapatite. The presence of bone fragments in some coprolites, together with their typical crocodylomorph cylindrical shape with rounded ends, strongly indicates that Baurusuchidae not only are carnivores, but that also ingested large bone fragments. On the other hand, the coprolites assigned to Sphagesauridae generally show a more complex chemical composition and present plant remains within which indicate this group, at least in part, fed on plants. Our results reinforce the importance of these ichnofossils as an independent source of information on the feeding habits of their producers and add new evidence these two groups of crocodylomorphs fed on different food sources.

PALEOPARASITOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF CAVE BEAR (URSUS KANIVETZ VERESHCHAGIN, 1973) COPROLITES FROM THE IGNATIEVSKAYA CAVE (SOUTHERN URAL)

The first paleoparasitological analysis of coprolites of a cave bear (Ursus kanivetz Vereshchagin, 1973) was performed. Material for research was obtained from different deeps at the excavation of Ignatievskaya Cave (Chelyabinsk Region, Southern Urals, Russia, 54°53’N 57°46’E). Fossil coprolites were find from the excavations N 1-2, situated et the 120 meters from the entry of cave. The depth of excavations was 1.9 m. Radiocarbon analysis show that the age of cave bear bones was more than 27500 years. Coprolites were analyzed by combine method and sedimentation. Slides were viewed under the Meiji microscope with Х100 and Х400 magnification and made a pictures by the Vision camera. Eggs were defined using scientific descriptions available in the national and foreign literature. As a result from the paleoparasitological analysis, the presence Nematodes eggs was detected. Eggs are belonged to Baylisascaris transfuga Rudolphi, 1819 – specific parasite of Ursidae. Obviously, that helminth infected different species of bears already at the Late Pleistocene period and had a wide spreading. This is the first finding of the nematode B. transfuga of Pleistocene age and the first finding of parasites in the cave bear coprolites.

Pollen analysis of animal coprolites recovered from vegetation mounds in El-Ga’ab paleolake: evidence for vegetation history of the desert of northern Sudan

In arid zones vegetation mounds are natural indicators for land degradation. Studying plants and animals remains in different strata of these mounds provide information about the past land use in which parts of the natural environment were modified into arable fields and pastures. They are suitable sites for preserving animal coprolites. In this study, two samples of different animal coprolites were collected from vertical trenches in vegetation mounds of Um Hilal and El-Hamra areas of El-Ga’ab depression in northern Sudan. Pollen grain analysis was conducted and eleven species that belong to eight families were identified. Five species recorded for El Hamra area and nine species were identified for Um Hilal area. Most of the pollen grains were identified as Suaeda monoica and Salsola imbricata which are halophytes indicates habitats of high soil salinity in El-Ga’ab depression. These species are still dominant in other law elevated areas of less dry sand dunes. Polygonum sp. Pollens were recorded in Um Hilal area indicating a moist habitat. Record of the comparatively large number of tree pollen grain of Acacia ehrenbergiana indicates no change in the dominant tree species. Presence of the pollen grains of Triticum sp. (wheat) and Heliotropium parciflorum is an evidence for past agricultural activities. This study recommended further intensive investigations of the old dry vegetation mounds distributed in the desert of northern Sudan to reconstruct its palaeoenvironment.

Integrative analysis of DNA, macroscopic remains and stable isotopes of dog coprolites to reconstruct community diet

Paleofeces or coprolites are often used to reconstruct diet at archaeological sites, usually using macroscopic analyses or targeted DNA amplification and sequencing. Here we present an integrative analysis of dog coprolites, combining macroscopic analyses, stable isotope measurements, and DNA shotgun sequencing to examine diet and health status. Dog coprolites used in this study were recovered from the Janey B. Goode and East Saint Louis archaeological sites, both of which are located in the American Bottom, an extensive Mississippi River floodplain in Southwestern Illinois. Based on the context of recovery, coprolites are assigned to the Late Woodland and Terminal Late Woodland periods (ca. 600–1050 AD). Given the scarcity of human remains from this time period, these dog coprolites can be useful as a proxy for understanding human diet during the Late Woodland period. We find that the Late Woodland dogs consumed a variety of fish as well as bird and plant taxa, possibly including maize, and also harbored intestinal parasites and pathogenic bacteria. By sequencing the fecal microbiome of the coprolites, we find some similarities to modern dog microbiomes, as well as specific taxa that can be used to discriminate between modern and ancient microbiomes, excluding soil contaminants. As dogs are often used as a surrogate to assess human diet, humans living with these dogs likely had a similar diet and were affected by similar parasites. These analyses, when integrated, show a more comprehensive view of ancient dog and human diet and health in the region during the initial expansion of maize agriculture than any individual method could alone.

Younger Dryas and early Holocene subsistence in the northern Great Basin: multiproxy analysis of coprolites from the Paisley Caves, Oregon, USA

Younger Dryas and early Holocene Western Stemmed Tradition occupants of the northern Great Basin appear to have practiced a broad-based subsistence strategy including the consumption of a wide variety of small animal and plant resources. However, much of our evidence for human diet and land use during this period comes from dry cave and rockshelter sites where it can be challenging to distinguish plant and small animal remains deposited as a result of human versus nonhuman activity. This study presents new direct evidence for Younger Dryas and early Holocene human diet in the northern Great Basin through multiproxy analysis of nine human coprolites from the Paisley Caves, Oregon, USA. The evidence indicates that Western Stemmed Tradition occupants consumed plants, small mammals, fish, and insects, including direct evidence for consumption of whole rodents and several types of beetle. Occupation of the caves occurred during the summer and fall by individuals foraging on wetland, sagebrush grassland, and riparian ecological landscapes suggesting geographical and seasonal variability in land-use patterns during the Younger Dryas and early Holocene periods. This research suggests that Western Stemmed Tradition settlement patterns were seasonally centered on productive valley bottom lakes and wetlands but also included forays to a variety of ecological landscapes. The results highlight the importance of plant and small animal resources in the human diet during the terminal Pleistocene settlement of North America and contribute to debates about the process of the peopling of the Americas.