scholarly journals Were domestic camelids present on the prehispanic South American agricultural frontier? An ancient DNA study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0240474
Author(s):  
Cinthia Carolina Abbona ◽  
Gustavo Neme Adolfo ◽  
Jeff Johnson ◽  
Tracy Kim ◽  
Adolfo Fabian Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Dna ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
South American ◽  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
Southern Boundary ◽  
Macrobotanical Remains ◽  
Species Overlap ◽  
Lama Glama

The southern boundary of prehispanic farming in South America occurs in central Mendoza Province, Argentina at approximately 34 degrees south latitude. Archaeological evidence of farming includes the recovery of macrobotanical remains of cultigens and isotopic chemistry of human bone. Since the 1990s, archaeologists have also hypothesized that the llama (Lama glama), a domesticated South American camelid, was also herded near the southern boundary of prehispanic farming. The remains of a wild congeneric camelid, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), however, are common in archaeological sites throughout Mendoza Province. It is difficult to distinguish bones of the domestic llama from wild guanaco in terms of osteological morphology, and therefore, claims that llama were in geographic areas where guanaco were also present based on osteometric analysis alone remain equivocal. A recent study, for example, claimed that twenty-five percent of the camelid remains from the high elevation Andes site of Laguna del Diamante S4 were identified based on osteometric evidence as domestic llama, but guanaco are also a likely candidate since the two species overlap in size. We test the hypothesis that domesticated camelids occurred in prehispanic, southern Mendoza through analysis of ancient DNA. We generated whole mitochondrial genome datasets from 41 samples from southern Mendoza late Holocene archaeological sites, located between 450 and 3400 meters above sea level (masl). All camelid samples from those sites were identified as guanaco; thus, we have no evidence to support the hypothesis that the domestic llama occurred in prehispanic southern Mendoza.

Sarcocystis masoni, n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae), and redescription of Sarcocystis aucheniae from llama (Lama glama), guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 617-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
GASTÓN MORÉ ◽  
CRISTIAN REGENSBURGER ◽  
M. LAURA GOS ◽  
LAIS PARDINI ◽  
SHIV K. VERMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
18S Rrna ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
South American ◽  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
South American Camelids ◽  
Vicugna Pacos ◽  
Considerable Confusion ◽  
Lama Glama ◽  
Sarcocyst Wall

SUMMARYThere is considerable confusion concerning the species of Sarcocystis in South American camelids (SAC). Several species names have been used; however, proper descriptions are lacking. In the present paper, we redescribe the macroscopic sarcocyst forming Sarcocystis aucheniae and describe and propose a new name, Sarcocystis masoni for the microscopic sarcocyst forming species. Muscles samples were obtained from llamas (Lama glama) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) from Argentina and from alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas from Peru. Individual sarcocysts were processed by optical and electron microscopy, and molecular studies. Microscopic sarcocysts of S. masoni were up to 800 µm long and 35–95 µm wide, the sarcocyst wall was 2·5–3·5 µm thick, and had conical to cylindrical villar protrusions (vp) with several microtubules. Each vp had 11 or more rows of knob-like projections. Seven 18S rRNA gene sequences obtained from sarcocysts revealed 95–96% identity with other Sarcocystis spp. sequences reported in the GenBank. Sarcocysts of S. aucheniae were macroscopic, up to 1·2 cm long and surrounded by a dense and laminar 50 µm thick secondary cyst wall. The sarcocyst wall was up to 10 µm thick, and had branched vp, appearing like cauliflower. Comparison of the 11 sequences obtained from individual macroscopic cysts evidenced a 98–99% of sequence homology with other S. aucheniae sequences. In conclusion, 2 morphologically and molecularly different Sarcocystis species, S. masoni (microscopic cysts) and S. aucheniae (macroscopic cysts), were identified affecting different SAC from Argentina and Peru.

scholarly journals Systematic Ancient DNA Species Identification Fails to Find Late Holocene Domesticated Cattle in Southern Africa

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 316
Author(s):  
K. Ann Horsburgh ◽  
Anna L. Gosling
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Ancient Dna ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Temporal Control ◽  
Later Stone Age ◽  
Domestic Stock

Establishing robust temporal control of the arrival of domesticated stock and the associated husbandry skills and lifeways in Southern Africa remains frustrated by the osteological similarities between domestic stock and wild endemic fauna. We report the results of a systematic ancient DNA survey of appropriately sized bovid remains from Later Stone Age deposits in four South African archaeological sites. We show that none of the tested remains originated in domesticated cattle. The precise date of arrival of domestic cattle in the region awaits further study, although we also report new radiocarbon determinations which further refine the local chronology.

Plasma biochemical values in the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) compared with the sheep

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 166-166
Author(s):  
M.D. Fraser ◽  
J.M. Moorby ◽  
D.H. Baker ◽  
J.K.S. Tweed
Keyword(s):  
South American ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
South American Camelids ◽  
Livestock Species ◽  
Serum Biochemical ◽  
Lama Glama ◽  
Established Technique ◽  
Lama Pacos

The use of metabolic profiles in livestock species is a well established technique for monitoring physiological changes, and determining the health status of individual animals. While reference ranges for serum biochemical values in llamas (Lama glama) (Lassen et al, 1986; Fowler and Zinkl, 1989) and alpacas (Lama pacos) (Simons, Waldron and Hennessy, 1993) have been published, equivalent data for guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are negligible. None of the studies which report values for metabolites in the blood of South American camelids have included a direct comparison with conventional livestock species. The aim of this study was to establish baseline ranges for metabolites in the blood of healthy guanacos, and to compare these with equivalent data for sheep.

Aislamiento y caracterización genética de marcadores microsatélites hipervariables en poblaciones argentinas de llama (Lama glama) y guanaco (Lama guanicoe)

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ana Victoria Bustamante
Keyword(s):  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
Lama Glama

En el presente trabajo se desarrollaron marcadores de ADN microsatélite específicos de camélidos sudamericanos los que se aplicaron, al análisis de la diversidad y la estructura genética de poblaciones argentinas de llamas y guanacos y a propuestas de manejo de cada una de las especies. Mediante la construcción de bibliotecas de ADN genómico de llama, se identificaron y aislaron 17 microsatélites específicos para camélidos sudamericanos. Los 17 microsatélites fueron caracterizados en 30 ejemplares de llama y 30 de guanaco, amplificando con buena eficiencia en ambas especies. Dos microsatélites resultaron monomórficos y 9 fueron polimórficos; los seis restantes amplificaron, probablemente debido a recombinación durante el evento de clonado. La caracterización de los microsatélites polimórficos, detectó 63 alelos en las llamas y 70 en los guanacos además de altos valores de heterocigocidad y contenidos de información polimórfica que variaron entre 0,75 y 0,916. El poder de exclusión acumulado, calculado para el conjunto de 9 microsatélites fue mayor a 0,999. Por lo tanto, los microsatélites polimórficos conforman una excelente batería de marcadores para su aplicación en estudios de diversidad genética y filiación. Los 9 microsatélites, junto con otros tres descriptos por otros autores, se utilizaron para evaluar la diversidad y estructura genética de tres poblaciones de llamas, procedentes de la provincia de Jujuy (Santa Isabel, Los Pioneros y Llampa Jaram) y dos poblaciones de guanacos localizadas en la patagonia argentina (Pilcaniyeu y Río Mayo).

scholarly journals Late-Holocene forest resilience in the central Pyrenean highlands as deduced from pollen analysis of Lake Sant Maurici sediments

The Holocene ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 095968362110332
Author(s):  
Valentí Rull ◽  
Núria Cañellas-Boltà ◽  
Teresa Vegas-Vilarrúbia
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Roman Period ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Southern Central ◽  
Central Pyrenees ◽  
The Middle Ages

Palynological analysis of the last ca. 4300 cal year BP using a sediment core taken from high mountain (ca. 1900 m elevation) Lake Sant Maurici sediments (southern-central Pyrenees) showed remarkable vegetation constancy during the Bronze Age and the Middle Ages. Records of the Iron Age and the Roman period were missing due to a major sedimentary gap. During the studied periods, the vegetation around the lake was largely dominated by pine ( Pinus) forests with birch ( Betula), oak ( Quercus) and hazel ( Corylus) trees, as is the case today. The composition of these forests and the abundance of their components remained quite stable, despite the occurrence of temperature and moisture shifts. The degree of human disturbance, notably that of pastoralism and cereal cultivation by scattered and temporary settlements, was very low and had little or no effect on the dominant forests. This situation contrasts with most high-elevation (subalpine and alpine) environments of the central Pyrenees that were massively anthropized during the Middle Ages. Further research should be aimed at finding sediments corresponding to the Iron Age and the Roman period to verify whether the vegetation constancy can be extended throughout the Late-Holocene. Past records of this type may allow the estimation of natural and anthropogenic thresholds for irreversible forest changes, which would be useful for conservation purposes.

Late Holocene Sea Temperatures along the Central California Coast

1999 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Jones ◽  
Douglas J. Kennett
Keyword(s):  
Late Holocene ◽  
Fish Bone ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Central California ◽  
The Past ◽  
Past 2000 Years ◽  
Terrestrial Productivity ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Mussel Shells ◽  
Marine Productivity

AbstractMussel shells from central California coastal archaeological sites record changes in sea surface temperatures in the past 2000 years. Water temperatures, inferred from oxygen isotopes in the shells, were about 1°C cooler than present and stable between 2000 and 700 yr ago. Between about 700 and 500 yr ago, seasonal variation was greater than present, with extremes above and below historic levels. Water temperatures were 2–3°C cooler than today 500–300 yr ago. The interval of variable sea temperatures 700–500 yr ago partially coincided with an interval of drought throughout central California. A coincident disruption in human settlement along the coast suggests movements of people related to declining water sources. Quantities of fish bone in central coast middens dating to this same period are high relative to other periods, and the remains of northern anchovies, a species sensitive to changing oceanographic conditions, are also abundant. The continued use of local fisheries suggests that changes in settlement and diet were influenced more by drought than by a decrease in marine productivity, as fish provided a staple during an interval of low terrestrial productivity.

Paleogeographic conditions of human habitation on the Karelian coast of the White Sea in the Late-Holocene (Chupa Town, Karelia, Russia)

The Holocene ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 095968362110417
Author(s):  
Shelekhova ТS ◽  
Lobanova NV ◽  
Lavrova NB ◽  
Rodionov GN
Keyword(s):  
Late Holocene ◽  
White Sea ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Green Moss ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
The White Sea ◽  
Diatom Flora ◽  
Ancient People ◽  
Human Habitation ◽  
New Evidence

Bottom sediments from Lake Pervoe Starushechye, on the White Sea shore, near Korabelnaya Bay, Chupa Town, 500 m from an archaeological site, were analyzed. The aim of our studies was to determine the position of the sea shoreline, to correlate archaeological sites relative to it, to date ancient settlements, and to reconstruct the paleoclimatic conditions and habitats of ancient people. Spore and pollen, diatom, and radiocarbon (14C) analyses were done. New evidence for the time of retreat of the seashore, the isolation of Lake Pervoe Starushechye from it and the time of the possible invasion of the area by ancient people was obtained. People were shown to inhabit the area from 3970 ± 120 to 3250 ± 120 14С y.a., when the sea shoreline reached modern levels of 19–22 m. The lake was then a ~8 m deep White Sea bay, in which marine gyttja was deposited. These events are reflected in the stratigraphy of the sequence and supported by the results of diatom and spore and pollen analyses. About 3500 y.a., mean annual temperatures in North Karelia were 2°С and annual precipitation ~50 mm/year higher than modern values. Spruce and pine-spruce forests with aspen and alder patches grew on the shore. A favorable climate and exuberant vegetation attracted people. Therefore, it is at the Atlantic-Subboreal boundary that the archaeological sites located at the above altitudes could arise. The lake separated from the White Sea 3020 ± 90 14С y.a. Freshwater sapropel was deposited in the isolated lake, as indicated by the composition of diatom flora and spore and pollen spectra. The sea shoreline declined to 17–16 m. Light-coniferous pine lichen-green moss forests with light-loving oligotrophic grasses were spreading actively throughout the study area.

Effects of roads on the behaviour of the largest South American artiodactyl (Lama guanicoe) in an Argentine reserve

2017 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio M. Cappa ◽  
Stella M. Giannoni ◽  
Carlos E. Borghi
Keyword(s):  
South American ◽  
Lama Guanicoe

scholarly journals Molecular variability in Amerindians: widespread but uneven information

2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCISCO M. SALZANO
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Ancient Dna ◽  
Genetic Heterogeneity ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
South American ◽  
Chromosome Variation ◽  
North Central ◽  
Molecular Variability ◽  
Present Trend ◽  
Made In

A review was made in relation to the molecular variability present in North, Central, and South American Indian populations. It involved results from ancient DNA, mitochondrial DNA in extant populations, HLA and other autosomal markers, X and Y chromosome variation, as well as data from parasitic viruses which could show coevolutionary changes. The questions considered were their origin, ways in which the early colonization of the continent took place, types and levels of the variability which developed, peculiarities of the Amerindian evolutionary processes, and eventual genetic heterogeneity which evolved in different geographical areas. Although much information is already available, it is highly heterogeneous in relation to populations and types of genetic systems investigated. Unfortunately, the present trend of favoring essentially applied research suggest that the situation will not basically improve in the future.

scholarly journals Centennial-scale precipitation anomalies in the southern Altiplano (18° S) suggest an extratropical driver for the South American summer monsoon during the late Holocene

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 1845-1859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio A. Jara ◽  
Antonio Maldonado ◽  
Leticia González ◽  
Armand Hernández ◽  
Alberto Sáez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Summer Monsoon ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Austral Summer ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
South American ◽  
Tropical Andes ◽  
The South ◽  
Precipitation Anomalies

Abstract. Modern precipitation anomalies in the Altiplano, South America, are closely linked to the strength of the South American summer monsoon (SASM), which is influenced by large-scale climate features sourced in the tropics such as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, the timing, direction, and spatial extent of precipitation changes prior to the instrumental period are still largely unknown, preventing a better understanding of the long-term drivers of the SASM and their effects over the Altiplano. Here we present a detailed pollen reconstruction from a sedimentary sequence covering the period between 4500 and 1000 cal yr BP in Lago Chungará (18∘ S; 4570 m a.s.l.), a high-elevation lake on the southwestern margin of the Altiplano where precipitation is delivered almost exclusively during the mature phase of the SASM over the austral summer. We distinguish three well-defined centennial-scale anomalies, with dry conditions between 4100–3300 and 1600–1000 cal yr BP and a conspicuous humid interval between 2400 and 1600 cal yr BP, which resulted from the weakening and strengthening of the SASM, respectively. Comparisons with other climate reconstructions from the Altiplano, the Atacama Desert, the tropical Andes, and the southwestern Atlantic coast reveal that – unlike modern climatological controls – past precipitation anomalies at Lago Chungará were largely decoupled from north–south shifts in the ITCZ and ENSO. A regionally coherent pattern of centennial-scale SASM variations and a significant latitudinal gradient in precipitation responses suggest the contribution of an extratropical moisture source for the SASM, with significant effects on precipitation variability in the southern Altiplano.

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