Continent-wide panmixia of an African fruit bat facilitates transmission of potentially zoonotic viruses

Alison J. Peel, David R. Sargan, Kate S. Baker, David T. S. Hayman, Jennifer A. Barr, Gary Crameri, Richard Suu-Ire, Christopher C. Broder, Tiziana Lembo, Lin-Fa Wang, Anthony R. Fooks, Stephen J. Rossiter, James L. N. Wood () and Andrew A. Cunningham ()
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Alison J. Peel: University of Cambridge
David R. Sargan: University of Cambridge
Kate S. Baker: University of Cambridge
David T. S. Hayman: University of Cambridge
Jennifer A. Barr: CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory
Gary Crameri: CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory
Richard Suu-Ire: Ghana Forestry Commission
Christopher C. Broder: Uniformed Services University
Tiziana Lembo: Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow
Lin-Fa Wang: CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory
Anthony R. Fooks: Colorado State University
Stephen J. Rossiter: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London
James L. N. Wood: University of Cambridge
Andrew A. Cunningham: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, is Africa’s most widely distributed and commonly hunted fruit bat, often living in close proximity to human populations. This species has been identified as a reservoir of potentially zoonotic viruses, but uncertainties remain regarding viral transmission dynamics and mechanisms of persistence. Here we combine genetic and serological analyses of populations across Africa, to determine the extent of epidemiological connectivity among E. helvum populations. Multiple markers reveal panmixia across the continental range, at a greater geographical scale than previously recorded for any other mammal, whereas populations on remote islands were genetically distinct. Multiple serological assays reveal antibodies to henipaviruses and Lagos bat virus in all locations, including small isolated island populations, indicating that factors other than population size and connectivity may be responsible for viral persistence. Our findings have potentially important public health implications, and highlight a need to avoid disturbances that may precipitate viral spillover.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3770

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