Techniques of DNA-studies on prehispanic ectoparasites (Pulex sp., Pulicidae, Siphonaptera) from animal mummies of the Chiribaya Culture, Southern Peru
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
; 98(supl.1): 53-58, Jan. 15, 2003. ilus, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-333816
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
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
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Mummies
/
DNA Primers
/
Ectoparasitic Infestations
/
Siphonaptera
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Peru
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2003
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany
/
Peru
/
United States
Institution/Affiliation country:
Bioanthropology Foundation/PE
/
Brigham Young University/US
/
Research Center Borstel/DE
/
University of Nebraska-Lincoln/US