Ecological determinants of pathogen transmission in communally roosting species

Laughlin, Andrew J.; Hall, Richard J.; Taylor, Caz M.

doi:10.1007/s12080-019-0423-6

Cited by 11 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Nevertheless, the trend that bat species with preferences for larger roost sizes appear to host a higher diversity of AdVs seems worth following up on. This observation is also consistent with studies finding that larger roost sizes lead to increased transmission of pathogens both in models and with henipaviruses in bats [ 33, 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Evaluation of bat adenoviruses suggests co-evolution and host roosting behaviour as drivers for diversity

et al. 2021

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Adenoviruses (AdVs) are diverse pathogens of humans and animals, with several dozen bat AdVs already identified. Considering that over 100 human AdVs are known, and the huge diversity of bat species, many bat AdVs likely remain undiscovered. To learn more about AdV prevalence, diversity and evolution, we sampled and tested bats in Cameroon using several PCR assays for viral and host DNA. AdV DNA was detected in 14 % of the 671 sampled animals belonging to 37 different bat species. There was a correlation between species roosting in larger groups and AdV DNA detection. The detected AdV DNA belonged to between 28 and 44 different, mostly previously unknown, mastadenovirus species. The novel isolates are phylogenetically diverse and while some cluster with known viruses, others appear to form divergent new clusters. The phylogenetic tree of novel and previously known bat AdVs does not mirror that of the various host species, but does contain structures consistent with a degree of virus–host co-evolution. Given that closely related isolates were found in different host species, it seems likely that at least some bat AdVs have jumped species barriers, probably in the more recent past; however, the tree is also consistent with such events having taken place throughout bat AdV evolution. AdV diversity was highest in bat species roosting in large groups. The study significantly increased the diversity of AdVs known to be harboured by bats, and suggests that host behaviours, such as roosting size, may be what limits some AdVs to one species rather than an inability of AdVs to infect other related hosts.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Evaluation of bat adenoviruses suggests co-evolution and host roosting behaviour as drivers for diversity

et al. 2021

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“…Our finding that pathogens spread most rapidly in sparse structures, when hosts form a small number of large groups, are dynamically similar to those described in Laughlin, Hall and Taylor (2019). The difference in scale of the two models -intra-roost in the current study, and inter-roost in Laughlin, Hall and Taylor (2019) -creates a divergence in ecological interpretation of the models, however. Laughlin, Hall and Taylor (2019) suggest that large roosts amplify pathogen spread and are thereby important sites for pathogen surveillance.…”

Section: Accepted Articlementioning

confidence: 43%

“…All rights reserved importance of ecological dynamics on transmission, the epidemiological consequences of finescale animal aggregations, and changes to both with habitat modification, have not been well studied (Altizer et al 2006). Work by Laughlin, Hall and Taylor (2019) have moved this topic forward, by exploring general theory for how inter-roost movements and host attributes can influence pathogen spread among roosts. However, fine-scale intra-roost aggregations remain unexplored.…”

Section: Accepted Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Outputs from these models also contribute insights into the spread of viruses in structured populations more generally, adding to general theory posed in Laughlin, Hall and Taylor (2019).…”

Section: Accepted Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Work by Laughlin et al. ( 2019 ) has moved this topic forward, by exploring general theory for how inter‐roost movements and host attributes can influence pathogen spread among roosts. However, fine‐scale intra‐roost aggregations remain unexplored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial dynamics of pathogen transmission in communally roosting species: Impacts of changing habitats on bat‐virus dynamics

Lunn

Peel

McCallum

et al. 2021

Journal of Animal Ecology

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The spatial organization of populations determines their pathogen dynamics. This is particularly important for communally roosting species, whose aggregations are often driven by the spatial structure of their environment. We develop a spatially explicit model for virus transmission within roosts of Australian tree‐dwelling bats ( Pteropus spp.), parameterized to reflect Hendra virus. The spatial structure of roosts mirrors three study sites, and viral transmission between groups of bats in trees was modelled as a function of distance between roost trees. Using three levels of tree density to reflect anthropogenic changes in bat habitats, we investigate the potential effects of recent ecological shifts in Australia on the dynamics of zoonotic viruses in reservoir hosts. We show that simulated infection dynamics in spatially structured roosts differ from that of mean‐field models for equivalently sized populations, highlighting the importance of spatial structure in disease models of gregarious taxa. Under contrasting scenarios of flying‐fox roosting structures, sparse stand structures (with fewer trees but more bats per tree) generate higher probabilities of successful outbreaks, larger and faster epidemics, and shorter virus extinction times, compared to intermediate and dense stand structures with more trees but fewer bats per tree. These observations are consistent with the greater force of infection generated by structured populations with less numerous but larger infected groups, and may flag an increased risk of pathogen spillover from these increasingly abundant roost types. Outputs from our models contribute insights into the spread of viruses in structured animal populations, like communally roosting species, as well as specific insights into Hendra virus infection dynamics and spillover risk in a situation of changing host ecology. These insights will be relevant for modelling other zoonotic viruses in wildlife reservoir hosts in response to habitat modification and changing populations, including coronaviruses like SARS‐CoV‐2.

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Seasonal roost selection of wild turkeys at their northern range edge

Adey,

Baici,

Bowman

2023

Wildlife Biology

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Wild turkeys Meleagris gallopavo are diurnally active birds that spend the dark hours roosting in trees. We tested the hypothesis that multiple benefits exist for roost tree selection by wild turkeys, including thermoregulation, resource acquisition, and protection from predators. We compared 48 roost trees used by eastern wild turkeys M. g. silvestris in Ontario, Canada to 48 non‐roost trees sampled contemporaneously during 2017–2019 to determine roost site selection between seasons. Mean (± SE) roost tree height (21.4 ± 0.8 m) was taller than non‐roost trees (18.2 ± 0.8 m), and roost trees were also larger in diameter at breast height (58.1 ± 5.5 vs 38.7 ± 3.1 cm). Using ibuttons to collect microclimate temperatures at the tree, we found that mean temperature (± SE) of a deciduous roost (14.5 ± 0.1°C) was higher than temperature at either a coniferous roost (13.9 ± 0.1°C) or ambient temperature (13.2 ± 0.1°C) during the summer months. In winter however, we did not find any relationship between temperature and tree type. Roosts were closer to buildings (150.8 ± 26.0 m) in the winter compared to summer and year‐round roosts, and winter roosts were also farther away from crops (395.2 ± 63.7 m) compared to roost sites used year‐round. Summer roosts were closer to roads (143 ± 36.3 m) than the roosts in the winter and roosts used year‐round. Our data suggest that thermoregulation is not the driving force behind roost selection; instead, predator avoidance appears to play the most important role, with some weaker evidence in support of proximity to resources.

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Ecological determinants of pathogen transmission in communally roosting species

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

Evaluation of bat adenoviruses suggests co-evolution and host roosting behaviour as drivers for diversity

Evaluation of bat adenoviruses suggests co-evolution and host roosting behaviour as drivers for diversity

Spatial dynamics of pathogen transmission in communally roosting species: Impacts of changing habitats on bat‐virus dynamics

Seasonal roost selection of wild turkeys at their northern range edge

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