Advances in understanding bat infection dynamics across biological scales

Abstract

Over the past two decades, research on bat-associated microbes such as viruses, bacteria and fungi has dramatically increased. Here, we synthesize themes from a conference symposium focused on advances in the research of bats and their microbes, including physiological, immunological, ecological and epidemiological research that has improved our understanding of bat infection dynamics at multiple biological scales. We first present metrics for measuring individual bat responses to infection and challenges associated with using these metrics. We next discuss infection dynamics within bat populations of the same species, before introducing complexities that arise in multi-species communities of bats, humans and/or livestock. Finally, we outline critical gaps and opportunities for future interdisciplinary work on topics involving bats and their microbes.

Keywords: Chiroptera; biomarkers; disease ecology; health; physiology; stress.

Figure 1.

Map illustrating the geographical and taxonomic diversity of bat species highlighted in case studies throughout the main text, with approximate study location and photo. Species names are coloured according to bat family, with a simplified phylogeny showing relationships between families. See electronic supplementary material for photo permissions.

Figure 2.

Overarching research priorities for future studies on bat infection dynamics, organized at the individual, population and community scales; S, susceptible; I, infected; R, recovered.