Search Results (602)

As agricultural land continues to expand, the conversion of forests to farmland has intensified, significantly altering the structure and function of agroecosystems. However, the dynamic ecological responses and their interactions with economic outcomes remain insufficiently modeled. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines a dynamic food web model with the Eco-Economic Benefit and Sustainability (EEBS) model, utilizing empirical data from Brazil and Ghana. A system of ordinary differential equations solved using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method was employed to simulate species interactions and energy flows under various land management strategies. Reintroducing key species (e.g., the seven-spot ladybird and ragweed) improved ecosystem stability to over 90%, with soil fertility recovery reaching 95%. In herbicide-free scenarios, introducing natural predators such as bats and birds mitigated disturbances and promoted ecological balance. Using XGBoost (Extreme Gradient Boosting) to analyze 200-day community dynamics, pest control, resource allocation, and chemical disturbance were identified as dominant drivers. EEBS-based multi-scenario optimization revealed that organic farming achieves the highest alignment between ecological restoration and economic benefits. The model demonstrated strong predictive power ($R^2$ = 0.9619, RMSE = 0.0330), offering a quantitative basis for green agricultural transitions and sustainable agroecosystem management. Full article

Chiroptera includes over 1400 bat species, with at least 35 of these present in Italy. Due to their role as Lyssavirus reservoirs, bats found dead, with and without signs suggestive of this infection, are routinely submitted to the laboratory network of the Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali in the framework of the rabies national passive and active surveillance program. Carcasses and biological samples collected from January to December 2021 in Latium and Tuscany, regions of our jurisdiction, were further screened for the presence of Coronaviruses (CoVs) and Herpesviruses using pan-family virus PCR tests, and relative PCR products were Sanger sequenced. Genetic characterization through sequencing detected AlphaCoVs in Miniopterus schreibersii and Beta- and Gammaherpesviruses in Tadarida teniotis. Samples were also submitted to bat genetic species identification. Full article

The history of the rabies virus dates back four millennia, with the virus being considered by many to be the first known transmitted between animals and humans. In Brazil, rabies virus variants associated with terrestrial wild animals, marmosets, and different bat species have been identified. In this study, bat samples from different regions of São Paulo State, in Southeast Brazil, were analyzed to identify their genetic variability and patterns. A total of 51 samples were collected over ten years (1999–2009) and submitted to the immunofluorescent technique using monoclonal antibodies for antigenic profile detection (the diagnostic routine used in Latin American countries) and genetic evolution analysis through maximum likelihood approaches. Three antigenic profiles were detected: one related to the rabies virus maintained by hematophagous bat populations (AgV3), part of the monoclonal antibody panel used, and two other profiles not included in the panel (called NC1 and NC2). These antigenic profiles were genetically distributed in five groups. Group I was related to hematophagous bats (AgV3), Groups II and III were related to insectivorous bats (NC1) and Groups IV and V were also related to insectivorous bats (NC2). The results presented herein show that genetic lineages previously restricted to the northwest region of São Paulo State are now found in other state regions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive genetic study of bat rabies covering geographic and temporal space, through expanded genomic analysis using a standard genomic fragment. Full article

Our research focused on the roost preferences of two bat species in a forest environment. Throughout the Anthropocene, people have heavily altered the landscape. Forested habitation has declined, with remaining forests becoming fragmented and often deprived of old trees that provide shelter opportunities for bats. TReMs (tree-related microhabitats) are essential for forest-dwelling bat species as they provide an opportunity to roost and shelter. Following an infestation of Ips typographus L., the Białowieża Forest is saturated with dead spruce trees. We investigated roost selection in two forest-dwelling species, Barbastella barbastellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus. To examine similarities or differences in roost selection between species, we radio-tracked 24 barbastelles and 13 soprano pipistrelles over three breeding seasons. We located a total of 48 barbastelle roosts and 15 pipistrelle roosts, together with the characteristics of the surroundings. We found that barbastelles select roosts almost exclusively in dead spruce trees (43/48), while pipistrelles selected roosts predominantly in live (n = 8) and dead (n = 5) broadleaved trees. Our results show that both bat species have clear differences in roost tree preference. In our study area, with an abundance of exfoliating bark, barbastelles showed a preference for roosting under flaking bark despite the availability of crevices within broadleaved trees. Our findings provide useful insight into forestry practices, highlighting the importance of standing dead trees. Full article

Habitat loss and land-use intensification are major threats to biodiversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, particularly for bat assemblages that provide key ecosystem services. In this study, we examined how landscape composition (forest and pasture cover) and local forest structure influence the richness and abundance of phyllostomid bats across 20 forest fragments in southern Bahia. Bat sampling was conducted using mist nets, and forest structure was quantified using tree measurements and vertical foliage stratification. We applied structural equation modeling to test the direct and indirect effects of landscape and local variables. Our results show that forest cover has both direct and indirect positive effects on bat diversity, mediated by improved forest structure. In contrast, increased pasture cover negatively affected forest structure and was weakly associated with bat diversity. The most abundant species were generalist frugivores, such as Carollia perspicillata and Rhinophylla pumilio. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining forest cover and structural complexity to support bat diversity in agroforestry-dominated landscapes. Conservation strategies that integrate habitat protection with sustainable land-use practices are crucial to maintaining biodiversity and the ecological functions provided by bats in this globally threatened biome. Full article

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$) gene family is widely distributed across the animal kingdom, playing a crucial role in various cellular processes and maintaining overall health and homeostasis. The present study identified 34 TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$ family genes based on the genome sequence in Tupaia belangeri, which were classified into the TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), growth differentiation factor (GDF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and Activin/Inhibin subfamilies. A phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary relationships among members of the TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$ family in T. belangeri and their homologous genes in Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, and Pan troglodytes, indicating a high degree of conservation throughout evolution. A chromosomal distribution and collinearity analysis demonstrated the localization of these genes within the genome of T. belangeri and their collinearity with genes from other species. A gene structure and motif analysis further illustrated the conservation and diversity among TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$ family members. A protein interaction network analysis highlighted the central roles of TGFB1, TGFB3, BMP7, and BMP2 in signal transduction. A functional enrichment analysis underscored the significance of the TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$ signaling pathway in the biological processes of T. belangeri, particularly in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We assessed the impact of cold acclimation treatment on the expression of TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$ family proteins in the adipose tissue (white adipose tissue [WAT] and brown adipose tissue [BAT]) of T. belangeri using ELISA technology, finding that protein expression levels in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of in the control group. These results suggested that cold acclimation may enhance the adaptability of T. belangeri to cold environments by modulating the expression of TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$ family genes. This study offers new insights into the role of the TGF-$\mathsf{\beta }$ family in the cold acclimation adaptation of T. belangeri, providing a scientific foundation for future genetic improvements and strategies for cold acclimation. Full article

Southeast Asia is a biodiversity hotspot for bats that can carry lyssaviruses, causing zoonotic diseases. This study detects and quantifies IgG antibodies against Lyssavirus glycoproteins in cave-dwelling bat populations on Cat Ba Island, northern Vietnam, to determine their past exposure history and the prevalence of immune responses. Samples were collected from five caves, encompassing three families and five key species (Hipposideros armiger, H. alongensis, H. poutensis, Taphozous melanopogon, and Myotis pilosus). Using ELISA with the Platelia™ Rabies II kit,(Bio-Rad Laboratories, Marnes-la-Coquette, France) 29.0% (18/62) of the bats tested positive, indicating prior exposure. The detection rate was slightly higher in females (35.7%) than in males (30.4%). Lyssavirus-specific antibodies were detected in four species, with the highest levels found in M. pilosus, followed by H. alongensis, H. armiger, and H. poutensis; no positives were found in T. melanopogon samples. One bat exhibited high seroconversion value (>4 EU/mL). The findings provide serological evidence of widespread lyssaviruses exposure in asymptomatic bats on Cat Ba Island, confirming their role as reservoirs that elicit an immune response without exhibiting rabies symptoms. This highlights the role of caves in facilitating close contact among bats, which may increase viral transmission, highlighting the need for continued surveillance in these unique roosting environments. Full article

We examined three decades of changes in the mammal fauna of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the context of climate variability, land use transformation, and anthropogenic pressures. We compiled distributional, abundance, and status data from publications, atlases, official game statistics, and long-term monitoring programs, and we evaluated trends using compound annual growth rates or temporal indices. Our review identified losses such as regional extinctions of garden dormice and European mink, declines in small insectivores (e.g., pond bats and shrews) and herbivores (e.g., Microtus voles), and the contraction of boreal specialists (e.g., Siberian flying squirrels). However, we also identified gains, including increases in ungulate numbers (e.g., roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, moose, and wild boars before African swine fewer outbreak) and the recovery of large carnivores (e.g., wolves and lynxes). Invasions by non-native species (e.g., American mink, raccoon dog, and raccoon) and episodic disturbances, such as African swine fever and the “anthropause” caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have further reshaped community composition. The drivers encompass climatic warming, post-socialist forest succession, intensified hunting management, and rewilding policies, with dispersal capacity mediating the responses of species. Our results underscore the dual legacy of historical land use and contemporary climate forcing in structuring the fauna dynamics of Baltic mammal communities in the face of declining specialists and invasive taxa. Full article

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) significantly impact human, domestic animal, and wildlife health. While most arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by blood-feeding mosquitoes and ticks, a growing body of evidence highlights the importance of other hematophagous arthropods in arboviral transmission. These lesser-known vectors, while often overlooked, can play crucial roles in the maintenance, amplification, and spread of arboviruses. This review summarizes our understanding of hematophagous arthropods, other than mosquitoes and ticks, in arboviral transmission, as well as their associations with non-arboviral viruses. Thirteen arthropod groups are discussed: bat flies, blackflies, cimicids (bat bugs, bed bugs, and bird bugs), Culicoides midges, fleas, hippoboscid flies, lice, mites, muscid flies (including horn flies and stable flies), phlebotomine sandflies, tabanids (including deer flies and horse flies), triatomines, and tsetse flies. Some of these arthropods are regarded as known or likely arboviral vectors, while others have no known role in arbovirus transmission. Particular attention is given to species associated with arboviruses of medical and veterinary significance. As the burden of arboviruses continues to grow, it is critical not to overlook the potential contribution of these lesser-known vectors. Full article

Bats serve as key ecological reservoirs of diverse microbial communities, including emerging viruses and antibiotic resistance genes. This study investigates the intestinal microbiota of two insectivorous bat species, Nyctalus noctula and Vespertilio murinus, at the Rostov Bat Rehabilitation Center in Southern Russia using whole metagenome shotgun sequencing. We analyzed taxonomic composition, functional pathways, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. Densoviruses, especially those closely related to Parus major densovirus, were the most dominant viral sequences identified. Metagenome-assembled densovirus genomes showed high sequence similarity with structural variations and clustered phylogenomically with viruses from mealworms and birds, reflecting both dietary origins and the potential for vertebrate infection. Functional profiling revealed microbial pathways associated with cell wall biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and biofilm formation. A total of 510 antibiotic resistance genes, representing 142 unique types, mainly efflux pumps and β-lactamases, were identified. Additionally, 870 virulence factor genes were detected, with a conserved set of iron acquisition systems and stress response regulators across all samples. These findings highlight the ecological complexity of bat-associated microbiota and viromes and suggest that synanthropic bats may contribute to the circulation of insect-associated viruses and antimicrobial resistance in urban settings. Full article

The rabies virus (genus Lyssavirus), is a deadly zoonotic agent affecting humans and animals. Although Mexico has been declared free of canine rabies (V1), sylvatic rabies persists. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the virus in Desmodus rotundus and other non-hematophagous bat species in Oaxaca. The methodology comprised four stages: a literature review, data requests to the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA), fieldwork using mist nets across 15 municipalities in Oaxaca, and diagnosis via direct immunofluorescence at the Centro Nacional de Servicios de Diagnóstico en Salud Animal (CENASA). SENASICA reported 89 positive rabies cases (2014–2023) across six laboratories, with the majority (67.02%) attributed to the Oaxaca State Public Health Laboratory. Among the 194 bats analyzed (129 D. rotundus), only three tested positive for the virus, yielding a prevalence of 1.54%. Positive cases were exclusively identified in D. rotundus from San Lucas Ojitlán and The Heroic City of Tlaxiaco. This prevalence aligns with that of national studies, which ranges from 0.05% to 3%. These findings underscore the need to maintain epidemiological surveillance in wild and domestic fauna, alongside public awareness campaigns highlighting bats’ ecological importance for ecosystem conservation and the risks associated with their decline. Full article

Eighteen flea species of four genera associated with bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae, Rhinolophidae, Miniopteridae, Molossidae) are registered in Russia, based on a literature review as well as our own data. They are as follows: Myodopsylla trisellis, Ischnopsyllus (Ischnopsyllus) dolosus, Ischnopsyllus (I.) elongatus, Ischnopsyllus (I.) intermedius, Ischnopsyllus (I.) plumatus, Ischnopsyllus (I.) needhami, Ischnopsyllus (I.) obscurus, Ischnopsyllus (I.) octactenus, Ischnopsyllus (I.) simplex, Ischnopsyllus (I.) variabilis, Ischnopsyllus (Hexactenopsylla) hexactenus, Ischnopsyllus (H.) petropolitanus, Ischnopsyllus (H.) ussuriensis, Ischnopsyllus (H.) comans, Nycteridopsylla pentactena, Nycteridopsylla longiceps, Nycteridopsylla eusarca, Rhinolophopsylla unipectinata unipectinata. Ischnopsyllus (I.) elongatus and Ischnopsyllus (I.) octactenus were recorded in Kaluga Region and Vladimir Region for the first time. Ischnopsyllus (I.) variabilis in Kaluga Region is a newly documented find. Studied bat flea fauna exhibits a distinctly Western Palearctic appearance. Full article

The detection of food sources of blood-sucking vectors is essential for a better understanding of the hosts, reservoirs, and other fauna that participate in the transmission web of hemoparasites. The molecular identification of triatomine blood meal sources (BMSs) has been shown to be highly sensitive and taxonomically specific when compared to the immunological method. The application of molecular cloning makes it possible to identify multiple BMS species and/or different individuals/haplotypes of the same vertebrate species in a single triatomine specimen. In Brazil, the molecular detection of BMSs is incipient, with insufficient genetic information on the species of animals involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi. In this work, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a molecular approach using molecular cloning for the detection of multiple Brazilian mammalian species. The DNA was extracted from blood clots of 13 species of canids, bats, xenarthral, marsupials, and rodents. Serial proportions were used to formulate mixtures combining taxonomically close (belonging to the same family or order) and taxonomically distant (different families) species. The results showed that GenBank lacks reference sequences for some native species tested, such as the sylvatic rodent, Necromys lasiurus, and the wild canid, Lycalopex gymnocercus, for cytb and 12S rDNA, and the rodent Oecomys cleberi for 12S rDNA. The study also demonstrated that it is possible to detect multiple different species, even for those that are taxonomically close. This approach was proven to be efficient for the detection of species in equal and even in disparate unequal proportions, which could represent complementary information about the diversity of potential hosts of T. cruzi. The detection of multiple BMS species in mixed samples provides a more comprehensive and accurate landscape of T. cruzi transmission in nature. Full article

Piroplasmids (Babesia spp., Rangelia spp., Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp.) are tick-borne apicomplexan protozoa that infect, depending on the species, erythrocytes and leucocytes in a wide variety of mammals and birds. The genera Bartonella and Borrelia include vector-borne bacteria that can infect and cause disease in both animals and humans. Detection of hemotropic bacteria and piroplasmids in wild animals is often challenging due to low bacteremia or parasitemia. Digital (d)PCR has proven to be an effective modality for the detection and quantification of DNA of hemotropic pathogens with low parasitemia. This study compared dPCR results from 366 biological samples from seven different Brazilian wild animal groups (5 Xenarthra species, 5 deer species, 3 felid species, 1 canid species, 3 rodent species, 1 bat species, 1 tapir species, and 12 bird species) to two other molecular diagnostic techniques: quantitative real-time (qPCR) and nested (nPCR). For this study, DNA extracted from wild animal blood and spleen samples were subjected to a multiplex dPCR assay for piroplasmids, Bartonella spp., and Borrelia spp. For comparison, the same primers and probes for each agent were used in qPCR assays. Additionally, an nPCR based on the 18S rRNA gene for piroplasmids was performed. The proportions of positive results obtained using dPCR were 85.5% for piroplasmids, 33.6% for Bartonella spp., and 16.7% for Borrelia spp. For all tested agents, dPCR proved to be the technique with the highest sensitivity, making it a useful tool for screening vector-borne agents in biological samples from wild animals with low parasitemia. Full article