A tick from a prehistoric Arizona coprolite.
Ticks have never been reported in archaeological analyses. Here, we present the discovery of a tick from a coprolite excavated from Antelope Cave in extreme northwest Arizona. Dietary analysis indicates that the coprolite has a human origin. This archaeological occupation is associated with the Ancestral Pueblo culture (Anasazi). This discovery supports previous hypotheses that ticks were a potential source of disease and that ectoparasites were eaten by ancient people.
Johnson
Keith L
KL
Department of Anthropology, Butte 311, California State University, Chico, California 95929-0400, USA.
Reinhardt
Karl J
KJ
Sianto
Luciana
L
Araújo
Adauto
A
Gardner
Scott L
SL
Janovy
John
J
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000145:classification; D001130:Arizona; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000145:classification*; D004032:Diet / Q000266:history*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005580:Fossils; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000266:history; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000266:history*; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000266:history