Parasitology

Table of Contents - 2006 - Volume 133, Issue 02  


Evidence of intestinal parasites of dinosaurs

G. POINAR Jr. a1c1 and A. J. BOUCOT a1
a1 Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA

Article author query
poinar g   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
boucot aj   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

Protozoan cysts and helminth eggs preserved in a coprolite from the Early Cretaceous Bernissart Iguanodon shaft in Belgium demonstrate that representatives of 3 phyla parasitized dinosaurs by that period. These fossil parasite stages are described and their possible effect on dinosaurs discussed. These findings represent the earliest fossil records of protozoan and helminth parasites of terrestrial vertebrates.

(Received January 31 2006)
(Revised February 22 2006)
(Accepted February 22 2006)
(Published Online April 20 2006)


Key Words: dinosaur coprolite; Entamoebites antiquus; Digenites proterus; Ascarites priscus; Ascarites gerus.

Correspondence:
c1 Tel: +541 737 5366. Fax: +541 737 0501. E-mail: poinarg@science.oregonstate.edu

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