Network analysis of host–virus communities in bats and rodents reveals determinants of cross-species transmission

Authors

Angela D. Luis, Colorado State UniversityFollow
Thomas J. O'Shea, U.S. Geological Survey (retired), Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO
David T.S. Hayman, Colorado State UniversityFollow
James L.N. Wood, University of Cambridge
Andrew A. Cunningham, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of LondonFollow
Amy T. Gilbert, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
James N. Mills, Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Colleen T. Webb, Colorado State UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Ecology Letters (2015) 18: 1153–1162

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Bats are natural reservoirs of several important emerging viruses. Cross-species transmission appears to be quite common among bats, which may contribute to their unique reservoir potential. Therefore, understanding the importance of bats as reservoirs requires examining them in a community context rather than concentrating on individual species. Here, we use a network approach to identify ecological and biological correlates of cross-species virus transmission in bats and rodents, another important host group. We show that given our current knowledge the bat viral sharing network is more connected than the rodent network, suggesting viruses may pass more easily between bat species. We identify host traits associated with important reservoir species: gregarious bats are more likely to share more viruses and bats which migrate regionally are important for spreading viruses through the network. We identify multiple communities of viral sharing within bats and rodents and highlight potential species traits that can help guide studies of novel pathogen emergence.