Eating lizards: a millenary habit evidenced by Paleoparasitology

BMC Research Notes

Adauto Araujo²  Karl Reinhard¹  Luiz Fernando Ferreira²  Sheila M Souza²  Sergio M Chaves²  Marcia Chame²  Isabel Teixeira-Santos²  Luciana Sianto² 

[1]University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources, 719 Hardin Hall, 3100 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, NE 68583-0987, USA

[2]Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

关键词: Zoonosis;    Lizard;    Helminths;    Coprolite;    Paleoparasitology;   

Others  :  1165395
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-5-586

 received in 2012-03-30, accepted in 2012-10-01,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

Analyses of coprolites have contributed to the knowledge of diet as well as infectious diseases in ancient populations. Results of paleoparasitological studies showed that prehistoric groups were exposed to spurious and zoonotic parasites, especially food-related. Here we report the findings of a paleoparasitological study carried out in remote regions of Brazil’s Northeast.

Findings

Eggs of Pharyngodonidae (Nematoda, Oxyuroidea), a family of parasites of lizards and amphibians, were found in four human coprolites collected from three archaeological sites. In one of these, lizard scales were also found.

Conclusions

Through the finding of eggs of Pharyngodonidae in human coprolites and reptile

scales in one of these, we have provided evidence that humans have consumed reptiles at least 10,000 years ago. This food habit persists to modern times in remote regions of Brazil’s Northeast. Although Pharyngodonidae species are not known to infect humans, the consumption of raw or undercooked meat from lizards and other reptiles may have led to transmission of a wide range of zoonotic agents to humans in the past.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Sianto et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

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