Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated ectoparasites from Brazil

Abstract

IntroductionBats, along with their ectoparasites, harbor a wide diversity of symbiotic and potential pathogenic bacteria. Despite the enormous diversity of bats (181 species), few studies aimed to investigate the bacterial microbiome of Brazilian chiropterans and associated ectoparasites. This study aimed to characterize the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated Streblidae flies and Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil.MethodsOral and rectal swabs were collected from 30 bats (Artibeus lituratus [n = 13], Artibeus planirostris [n = 9], Eptesicus furinalis [n = 5], Carollia perspicillata [n = 2], and Platyrrhinus lineatus [n = 1]). In addition, a total of 58 mites (15 Macronyssidae and 43 Spinturnicidae) and 48 Streblidae bat flies were collected from the captured bats. After DNA extraction and purification, each sample’s bacterial composition was analyzed with metagenomic sequencing.ResultsThe microbiome composition of both oral and rectal bat swab samples showed that Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial class. Spiroplasma, Wolbachia and Bartonella represented the most abundant genera in Streblidae flies. While Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) was the most abundant genus found in Spinturnicidae, Arsenophonus (Gammaproteobacteria) was found in high abundance in Macronyssidae mites. In addition to characterizing the microbiome of each sample at the class and genus taxonomic levels, we identified medically significant bacteria able to infect both animals and humans in oral (Streptococcus and Anaplasma) and rectal swabs (Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Streptococcus), Macronyssidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia) and Spinturnicidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella) mites as well as Streblidae flies (Spiroplasma, Bartonella).Discussion and conclusionBesides expanding the knowledge on the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and Streblidae flies from Brazil, the present work showed, for the first time, the bacterial community of bat-associated Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites.

Diversity of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Neorickettsia spp. in vampire bats

“…Recently, sequences from Anaplasma spp. were detected in the microbiome of oral swabs from non-hematophagous bats in central-western Brazil ( André et al, 2023 ).…”

“…and Ehrlichia spp. sequences were detected in the microbiome of Spinturnicidae and Macronyssidae mites, respectively, collected from non-hematophagous bats in Brazil ( André et al, 2023 ). Additional studies should be carried out to better understand the interactions between vectors-vampire bats- Anaplasma/Ehrlichia , given the proximity of bats to humans, the occurrence of these agents in domestic animals ( Rar and Golovljova, 2011 ; Ismail and McBride, 2017 ; Silaghi et al, 2017 ; Rar et al, 2021 ) and the detection of new genotypes of these agents in wild animals in Brazil ( Calchi et al, 2020 ; Vieira et al, 2022 ; Perles et al, 2022 ).…”

“…In turn, Ehrlichia spp. was identified in the microbiome of Macronyssidae mites ( André et al, 2023 ).…”

Comparative Analysis of the Gut Microbiota of Bat Species with Different Feeding Habits

“…Understanding the gut microbiota of these bats can provide valuable insights into the adaptations of these mammals to their specific dietary niches, as well as shed light on the ecological roles that bats play in their respective ecosystems. However, despite the rich biodiversity of bat species in South America, with Brazil in particular hosting approximately 15% of the world’s bat diversity, the literature lacks microbiome studies of bats from this region [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The lack of comprehensive studies on the gut microbiota of bat species from South America represents a significant gap in our understanding of the microbial ecology of bats.…”