scholarly journals A two-step metagenomics approach for prey identification from the blood meals of common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Physilia Ying Shi Chua ◽  
Christian Carøe ◽  
Alex Crampton-Platt ◽  
Claudia Sarai Reyes-Avila ◽  
Gareth Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Studies ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Shotgun Sequencing ◽  
Metagenomic Data ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
Vampire Bat ◽  
Blood Meals

ABSTRACTThe feeding behaviour of the sanguivorous common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) facilitates the transmission of pathogens that can impact both human and animal health. To formulate effective strategies in controlling the spread of diseases, there is a need to obtain information on which animals they feed on. One DNA-based approach, shotgun sequencing, can be used to obtain such information. Even though it is costly, shotgun sequencing can be used to simultaneously retrieve prey and vampire bat mitochondrial DNA for population studies within one round of sequencing. However, due to the challenges of analysing shotgun sequenced metagenomic data such as false negatives/positives and typically low proportion of reads mapped to diet items, shotgun sequencing has not been used for the identification of prey from common vampire bat blood meals. To overcome these challenges and generate longer mitochondrial contigs which could be useful for prey population studies, we shotgun sequenced common vampire bat blood meal samples (n=8) and utilised a two-step metagenomic approach based on combining existing bioinformatic workflows (alignment and de novo mtDNA assembly) to identify prey. Further, we validated our results to detections made through metabarcoding. We accurately identified the common vampire bats’ prey in seven out of eight samples without any false positives. We also generated prey mitochondrial contig lengths between 138bp to 3231bp (mean=985bp, SD=981bp). As we develop more computationally efficient bioinformatics pipelines and reduce sequencing costs, we can expect an uptake in metagenomics dietary studies in the near future.

RADProc: A computationally efficient de novo locus assembler for population studies using RADseq data

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 272-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Nadukkalam Ravindran ◽  
Paul Bentzen ◽  
Ian R. Bradbury ◽  
Robert G. Beiko
Keyword(s):  
Population Studies ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Computationally Efficient

scholarly journals Serological Surveillance of Rabies in Free-Range and Captive Common Vampire Bats Desmodus rotundus

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Megid ◽  
Julio Andre Benavides Tala ◽  
Laís Dário Belaz Silva ◽  
Fernando Favian Castro Castro ◽  
Bruna Letícia Devidé Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Populations ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Serological Surveillance ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Bat Rabies ◽  
Fluorescent Focus ◽  
Vampire Bat

The control of vampire bat rabies (VBR) in Brazil is based on the culling of Desmodus rotundus and the surveillance of outbreaks caused by D. rotundus in cattle and humans in addition to vaccination of susceptible livestock. The detection of anti-rabies antibodies in vampire bats indicates exposure to the rabies virus, and several studies have reported an increase of these antibodies following experimental infection. However, the dynamics of anti-rabies antibodies in natural populations of D. rotundus remains poorly understood. In this study, we took advantage of recent outbreaks of VBR among livestock in the Sao Paulo region of Brazil to test whether seroprevalence in D. rotundus reflects the incidence of rabies in nearby livestock populations. Sixty-four D. rotundus were captured during and after outbreaks from roost located in municipalities belonging to three regions with different incidences of rabies in herbivores. Sixteen seropositive bats were then kept in captivity for up to 120 days, and their antibodies and virus levels were quantified at different time points using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). Antibody titers were associated with the occurrence of ongoing outbreak, with a higher proportion of bats showing titer >0.5 IU/ml in the region with a recent outbreak. However, low titers were still detected in bats from regions reporting the last outbreak of rabies at least 3 years prior to sampling. This study suggests that serological surveillance of rabies in vampire bats can be used as a tool to evaluate risk of outbreaks in at risk populations of cattle and human.

scholarly journals Vampire Bat (Desmodus Rotundus) Abundancy and Frequency of Attacks to Cattle in Landscapes of Yucatan, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Susana Sánchez-Gómez ◽  
CELIA ISELA SELEM-SALAS ◽  
Daniel Isaías Córdova-Aldana ◽  
José Alberto Erales-Villamil
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
State Committee ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Vampire Bat

Abstract Desmodus rotundus is one of the wild animal species that has benefitted by habitat alteration and its population has increased due to livestock activities. Because vampire bats have caused economic losses to livestock production by feeding from these and other mammals and being the main rabies virus transmitter for cattle, population control campaigns have been implemented in Mexico. Yucatan is one of the seven most impacted States in Mexico by the number of cattle rabies cases per year, however, there is little research on vampire bat populations and attacks to cattle frequency patterns has never been analyzed so far. This study’s objective was to analyze the relationship between D. rotundus abundancy and number of bovines attacked in livestock landscapes in Yucatan. The study used data gathered by the State Committee for Protection and Promotion of Livestock in Yucatan through the National Campaign for Vampire Bat Population Control. Data from January 2014 to December 2017 was analyzed using Pearson correlation and bat abundancy and number of bovines attacked distribution maps. Greater abundancy of vampire bats and number of cattle attacked were observed in the central region of Yucatan, particularly in Izamal municipality. Positive correlation was found between 1) Abundancy of vampire bats and number of cattle in the region, 2) Total number of cattle and number of cattle attacked, and 3) Abundancy of vampire bats and number of cattle attacked. We can conclude that the relationship between abundancy of vampire bats and frequency of cattle attacked is positive.

Movement and Population Studies of the Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) in Mexico

1971 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Forment ◽  
U. Schmidt ◽  
A. M. Greenhall
Keyword(s):  
Population Studies ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Vampire Bat

scholarly journals Clinical Presentation and Serologic Response during a Rabies Epizootic in Captive Common Vampire Bats (Desmodus rotundus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa M. Cárdenas-Canales ◽  
Crystal M. Gigante ◽  
Lauren Greenberg ◽  
Andres Velasco-Villa ◽  
James A. Ellison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Glycoprotein Gene ◽  
Incubation Periods ◽  
Direct Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
Vampire Bat

We report mortality events in a group of 123 common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) captured in México and housed for a rabies vaccine efficacy study in Madison, Wisconsin. Bat mortalities occurred in México and Wisconsin, but rabies cases reported herein are only those that occurred after arrival in Madison (n = 15). Bats were confirmed positive for rabies virus (RABV) by the direct fluorescent antibody test. In accordance with previous reports, we observed long incubation periods (more than 100 days), variability in clinical signs prior to death, excretion of virus in saliva, and changes in rabies neutralizing antibody (rVNA) titers post-infection. We observed that the furious form of rabies (aggression, hyper-salivation, and hyper-excitability) manifested in three bats, which has not been reported in vampire bat studies since 1936. RABV was detected in saliva of 5/9 bats, 2–5 days prior to death, but was not detected in four of those bats that had been vaccinated shortly after exposure. Bats from different capture sites were involved in two separate outbreaks, and phylogenetic analysis revealed differences in the glycoprotein gene sequences of RABV isolated from each event, indicating that two different lineages were circulating separately during capture at each site.

Relations between topography, feeding sites, and foraging behavior of the vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-171
Author(s):  
Felipe Rocha ◽  
Francisco Miroslav Ulloa-Stanojlovic ◽  
Vanessa Cristina Victor Rabaquim ◽  
Paulo Fadil ◽  
Júlio César Pompei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Biometric Data ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
Available Technology ◽  
Vampire Bat

Abstract The vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) plays a crucial role in the maintenance and transmission of the rabies virus to humans and livestock, impacting public health and economic production. Its importance lies not only in its capacity to transmit the virus but also in its ability to adapt to anthropic changes, as expressed in its wide geographic distribution in Latin America. Deforestation, livestock intensification, and other human activities have reduced the abundance of its wild prey but have also provided new and abundant shelter and foraging resources for the vampire bats. We used radiotelemetry to evaluate relations between topography, feeding site choice, and foraging behavior in southeastern Brazil, where three occupied D. rotundus roosts, out of 11 possible, were systematically monitored throughout a 1-year period once every 2 months. Sixty-two vampire bats were captured; biometric data were collected and 44 radiotransmitters were installed in adult individuals, producing telemetry data that were recorded in VHF receptors installed in the farms. Elevation of the roosts was related to the farms attacked by the vampire bats. Understanding the use of the environment and resources by vampire bats is critical to improving rabies control aiming at the reduction of disease impacts. From the perspective of the official veterinary service, telemetry would be ineffective as a rabies surveillance system due to the costs and limitations of the available technology. However, livestock rabies control measures would be greatly improved if ecological characteristics of the vampire bat were considered.

scholarly journals Surveying the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) serum proteome: a resource for identifying immunological proteins and detecting pathogens

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A. Neely ◽  
Michael G. Janech ◽  
M. Brock Fenton ◽  
Nancy B. Simmons ◽  
Alison M. Bland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Shotgun Proteomics ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Redox Activity ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Serum Proteome ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
Vampire Bat

AbstractBats are increasingly studied as model systems for longevity and as natural hosts for some virulent viruses. Yet our ability to characterize immune mechanisms of viral tolerance and to quantify infection dynamics in wild bats is often limited by small sample volumes and few species-specific reagents. Here, we demonstrate how proteomics can overcome these limitations by using data-independent acquisition-based shotgun proteomics to survey the serum proteome of 17 vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) from Belize. Using just 2 μL of sample and relatively short separations of undepleted serum digests, we identified 361 proteins across five orders of magnitude. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD022885. Levels of immunological proteins in vampire bat serum were then compared to human plasma via published databases. Of particular interest were anti-viral and anti-bacterial components, circulating 20S proteasome complex, and proteins involved in redox activity; whether any results are specific to vampire bats could be assessed by future pan-mammalian analyses. Lastly, we used known virus proteomes to identify Rh186 from Macacine herpesvirus 3 and ORF1a from Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, indicating that mass spectrometry-based techniques show promise for pathogen detection. Overall, these results can be used to design targeted mass-spectrometry assays to quantify immunological markers and detect pathogens. More broadly, our findings also highlight the application of proteomics in advancing wildlife immunology and pathogen surveillance.

scholarly journals A method for rapid testing of social learning in vampire bats

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 172483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia K. Vrtilek ◽  
Gerald G. Carter ◽  
Krista J. Patriquin ◽  
Rachel A. Page ◽  
John M. Ratcliffe
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Rapid Testing ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Experimental Procedure ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
Baseline Knowledge ◽  
Vampire Bat

Designing experiments on social learning using an untested behaviour or species requires baseline knowledge of how the animals will perform. We conducted a pilot study of a procedure for rapidly testing social learning in the highly social common vampire bat ( Desmodus rotundus ) using a simple maze. To create demonstrators, we allowed captive bats to learn to exit a three-dimensional maze, which reunited them with their colony as a reward. We then filmed naive bats in the same maze, comparing their ability to exit the maze before, during and after the addition of a trained demonstrator. The presence of a demonstrator increased the exit rates of naive bats, presumably by attracting the attention of the naive bats to the maze exit. Four of the five naive bats that exited in the presence of a demonstrator retained the ability to exit without the demonstrator. No naive bat exited during trials without a potential demonstrator present. This experimental procedure appears to be a promising approach for efficient tests of social learning in vampire bats because maze difficulty can be manipulated to adjust learning rates and each trial requires only 15 min.

scholarly journals Outbreak of aggressions and transmission of rabies in human beings by vampire bats in northeastern Brazil

2002 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 461-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio A.S. Gonçalves ◽  
Raymundo J. Sá-Neto ◽  
Tania K. Brazil
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Common Phenomenon ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Vampire Bats ◽  
Vampire Bat

Outbreaks of attacks upon human beings by vampire bats seems to be a common phenomenon in several regions of Latin America, but the occurrence of rabies infection among humans bled by vampires, is relatively low. In the present study, two outbreaks of human rabies transmitted by common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) are described from Bahia State, Northeasthern Brazil, in 1991 and 1992. The first was recorded in Aporá where 308 people were bled by vampire bats and three of these die from this zoonosis. The 2nd outbreak occurred in Conde where only five people were bled by vampires, and two deaths by rabies were registered. Our data suggest that rabies transmitted by bats basically depends on the presence of virus in the vampire bat population and not on the number of humans bled by them.

scholarly journals Surveying the Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) Serum Proteome: A Resource for Identifying Immunological Proteins and Detecting Pathogens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A. Neely ◽  
Michael G. Janech ◽  
M. Brock Fenton ◽  
Nancy B. Simmons ◽  
Alison M. Bland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Desmodus Rotundus ◽  
Serum Proteome ◽  
Vampire Bat
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