Multilayer Networks Assisting to Untangle Direct and Indirect Pathogen Transmission in Bats

Molecular detection of hemoplasmas in rescued black-eared opossums (Didelphis aurita Wied-Neuwied, 1826) from southeastern Brazil, with evidence of a novel genotype infecting marsupials

“…Previous studies have pointed out that white-eared opossums are frequently parasitized by C. felis fleas ( Nascimento & Horta, 2014 ; Pontarolo et al, 2021 ), although there has not been enough evidence to support the hypotheses that hemotropic mycoplasmas are truly vector-borne pathogens to date. Indeed, Alcantara et al (2022) did not find association between hemoplasmas, bats and ectoparasites by Multilayer network analyses, suggesting that hemoplasmas may be transmitted by alternative routes yet to be elucidated.…”

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

“…However, the low occurrence of Anaplasma sp. identified among the bats evaluated hampered further discussions regarding the transmission of these agents ( Alcantara et al, 2022 ). For Ehrlichia sp., interaction networks revealed that blood-sucking arthropods might represent an important route of transmission between bats, as previously suggested in other studies ( Dumler et al, 2015 ; Saito and Walker, 2016 ).…”

Insights into the Natural History of the Nectar-Feeding Bat Lonchophylla mordax (Phyllostomidae), a Data Deficient Species Endemic to Brazil

“…Considering that individuals with greater energy reserves, usually as fat, are more likely to survive and reproduce (McGuire et al ., 2018), higher loads of ectoparasitic flies could potentially negatively affect these characteristics in L. mordax . The fact that T. lonchophyllae affects the body condition index of L. mordax , even moderately, in addition to the fact that streblid flies are identified as potential vectors of pathogens (Alcantara et al ., 2022), emphasizes the need for studies that further assess the real impact of these infestations on the health of the host and their role in the circulation of pathogenic microorganisms among bats.…”