Work

Out of Africa: origins of the Taenia tapeworms in humans

Year: 2001

Type: article

Abstract: Phylogenetic and divergence date analyses indicate that the occurrence of Taenia tapeworms in humans pre-dates the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and domestication of cattle (Bos spp.) or swine (Sus scrofa). Taeniid tapeworms in Africa twice independently colonized hominids and the genus Homo prior to the origin of modern humans. Dietary and behavioural shifts, from herbivory to scavenging and carnivory, as early Homo entered the carnivore guild in the Pliocene/Pleistocene, were drivers for host switching by tapeworms to hominids from carnivores including hyaenids and felids. Parasitological data provide a unique means of elucidating the historical ecology, foraging behaviour and food habits of hominids during the diversification of Homo spp.

Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2000.1579

Authors: E. P. Hoberg, N. L. Alkire, A. D. Queiroz, A. Jones

Institutions: Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, University of Colorado Boulder, Natural History Museum

Language: English

Topic: Parasitic infections in humans and animals

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1989547351

FWCI: 4.184

Cites: 40

Cited by: 242

Related to: 10