Palynological analysis of stems and leaves surface of food items of Lama guanicoe (Fam. Camelidae) in Patagonia (Argentina): implicances in the identification of the pollen source in coprolites

Abstract

Background and aims: One of the problems of Copropalynology within palaeodiet analysis is the elucidation of the source of the pollen content which can be the result of pollen contamination of food or water or post-depositional pollen contamination. The aim of this study was to analyze the pollen spectrum on the surface of stems and leaves of Empetrum rubrum, Senecio filaginoides, Nardophyllum obtusifolium and Mulinum spinosum, food items of Lama guanicoe from Perito Moreno National Park, to evaluate the pollen contamination of food items.
M&M: Stems and leaves of E. rubrum, S. filaginoides, N. obtusifolium and M. spinosum were collected and observed under scanning electron microscope. Then, acetolysis and pollen count under optic microscope were performed.
Results: The results showed that dominant pollen types, except in N. obtusifolium, come from the mother plant. However, it is significant the presence of other pollen types such as Nothofagus, Nassauvia, Podocarpus, Poaceae and Rumex on plants surface
Conclusions: The results of this study are related to the epidermic characteristics and provide relevant information about the origin of pollen within coprolites of Lama guanicoe to reconstruction of paleodiet.