Article
Parasitology
Emily Shui Kei Poon, Guoling Chen, Hiu Yu Tsang, Chung Tong Shek, Wing Chi Tsui, Huabin Zhao, Benoit Guenard, Simon Yung Wa Sin
Summary: This study used morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding to identify and classify bat fly species on 11 cave-dwelling bat species in Hong Kong, discovering 20 species, many of which are new. Analysis of the bat-bat fly association network revealed that bat fly species have a certain degree of genetic relationship with their host bats and exhibit varying levels of host specificity. The study also emphasizes the use of DNA barcoding to support morphological identification in future research to reveal accurate host-parasite relationships.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Branka Bajic, Oskar Werb, Ivana Budinski, Jelena Blagojevic, Juliane Schaer, Jaap van Schaik
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of Polychromophilus parasites in European bats and their nycteribiid vectors. A total of 215 bat flies collected from two bat species in Serbia were screened for Polychromophilus infections and analyzed by gene sequencing. The results showed a high diversity of P. melanipherus parasites in Miniopterus hosts and suggested regular encounter with this parasite in secondary hosts.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Daniel Maximo Correa Alcantara, Gustavo Graciolli, Ronaldo Toma, Camila Silveira Souza
Summary: Individual-based networks play a crucial role in understanding the interactions between bats and their parasites. The variation among individuals can affect the dynamics of parasites. This study found that in the network of lesser bulldog bats and bat flies, male individuals with greater body mass take on important roles, while the importance of females is not related to body mass or forearm length. Additionally, the abundance of a certain parasite species also influences the network structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Alexander Tendu, Alice Catherine Hughes, Nicolas Berthet, Gary Wong
Summary: Human encroachment on wild animal habitats increases the likelihood of pathogen spillover from natural reservoir hosts to humans. Bats, as potential reservoir hosts, are being investigated for their role in viral outbreaks. Ectoparasites found on bats, such as insects and ticks, often carry medically important viruses and may contribute to the maintenance of these pathogens within bat populations.
Article
Virology
Maria M. Ramirez-Martinez, Andrew J. Bennett, Christopher D. Dunn, Thomas M. Yuill, Tony L. Goldberg
Summary: The study found multiple viruses in streblid bat flies collected from bats in Mexico and Uganda, revealing previously unrecognized virus transmission cycles involving bats and bat flies. The viruses identified in the study are related to emerging zoonotic viruses and suggest potential zoonotic transmission pathways involving bats and their ectoparasites.
Article
Ecology
Maria Magdalena Ramirez-Martinez, Liliana Tlapaya-Romero
Summary: This study provides new information about the specificity and distribution of bat flies in the transition zone of Western Mexico. The researchers collected 15 bat species from 10 locations and identified 25 species of bat flies, including four new records for the region. The bat flies showed high specialization towards their hosts and a high ecological specificity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Erika M. Ospina-Perez, Fredy A. Rivera-Paez, Hector E. Ramirez-Chaves
Summary: This study expanded the knowledge of distribution of fly species and associations with bat hosts in Colombia, contributing to understanding the ecology, diversity, and distribution of these species.
Article
Microbiology
Anezka Santolikova, Jana Brzonova, Ivan Cepicka, Milena Svobodova
Summary: This study reveals the host-vector-parasite associations between louse flies, birds, and trypanosomes, and identifies several new trypanosome lineages and vectors.
Article
Ecology
Anna C. Fagre, Ausraful Islam, Will K. Reeves, Rebekah C. Kading, Raina K. Plowright, Emily S. Gurley, Clifton D. Mckee
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of Bartonella bacteria in bat blood and bat flies in a roost in Faridpur, Bangladesh. The results showed a high prevalence of Bartonella DNA in both bat blood and bat flies, with an increase in infection rate over time in the bat blood, suggesting that bat flies may serve as vectors for this pathogen.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexander Tendu, Yakhouba Kane, Ruiya Li, Victor Omondi, Xing Chen, Yanhua Chen, Emilio Mastriani, Jiaming Lan, Alice Catherine Hughes, Nicolas Berthet, Gary Wong
Summary: This study sampled bat ectoparasites from different bat species in Yunnan Province, China and analyzed their viral composition. The results showed that these ectoparasites harbor a variety of vertebrate and insect viruses, providing new insights into the role of bat ectoparasites in virus maintenance and transmission.
Article
Ecology
Tad A. Dallas, Pedro Jordano
Summary: In this study, the variability in interactor richness across 299 host-helminth networks was examined using a global database of host-helminth interactions. The results showed that a signal of interactor richness conservation was not detected for more than 95% of host and helminth parasite species. Furthermore, a significant taxonomic signal was detected in the divergence of parasite species richness from a null model for host species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Alexander M. Gorbushin
Summary: This study identified novel RNA viruses, which are parasites of parasites or hyperparasites, during transcriptomic analyses of two trematode species infecting a sea snail. The viruses were found to replicate in specific phases of the trematode life cycle and one of them showed similarity to rabies viruses. The study suggests the potential use of genetically modified viruses to control diseases caused by trematodes.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Haeseung Lee, Min-Goo Seo, Seung-Hun Lee, Jae-Ku Oem, Seon-Hee Kim, Hyesung Jeong, Yongkwan Kim, Weon-Hwa Jheong, Oh-Deog Kwon, Dongmi Kwak
Summary: Bats were identified as hosts for various ectoparasites and potential carriers of infectious agents like Wolbachia and Bartonella bacteria, with a special focus on the potential zoonotic transmission. The study highlighted the different supergroups of Wolbachia endosymbionts and the need to investigate the vectorial role of bat flies by collecting blood samples from host bats. This research contributes to disease ecology and public health by emphasizing the importance of understanding bat-borne pathogens and their potential transmission to humans and livestock.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Maria J. Navarro, Lucia Adriana Escudero-Colomar, Jaime Carrasco, Francisco J. Gea
Summary: The Diptera are considered one of the most serious arthropod pests affecting mushroom crops, with the Phorid flies, especially Megaselia halterata, being a significant problem on Spanish mushroom farms. Concerns regarding Phorid fly populations have recently increased in countries such as India, the UK, and the USA, where they have transitioned from minor to major pests with reported yield losses ranging from 10% to 40%. Available literature on Phorid populations highlights their natural and seasonal distribution, biology within growing substrates, initial sources of infestation on mushroom farms, as well as the limited control tools and alternative methods to chemical products.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yoshihiro Inoue, Trinh Thi Phuong Vy, Suthitar Singkaravanit-Ogawa, Ru Zhang, Kohji Yamada, Taiki Ogawa, Junya Ishizuka, Yoshihiro Narusaka, Yoshitaka Takano
Summary: Through targeted gene knockout experiments, we identified that the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare secretes multiple effector proteins during infection of cucurbit crops and tobacco. Four effector proteins were found to be specific for cucurbit hosts, while five others had virulence in both cucurbit crops and tobacco. This study suggests that C. orbiculare employs a host-specific effector deployment strategy when infecting cucurbit crops.
Review
Ecology
Michiel D. de Groot, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: The dramatic spread of invasive alien species is considered a major threat to ecosystems worldwide. The harlequin ladybird is one of the most invasive species, which was originally introduced as a biological control agent. However, little research has been done on the effects of multiple natural enemies on this species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Aron Peter, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Attila D. Sandor
Summary: This study presents a checklist of bat flies in Romania, including new records, and updates the host-parasite associations for several species.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sandor Hornok, Sandor Szekeres, Gabor Horvath, Nora Takacs, Katinka Beko, Jeno Kontschan, Miklos Gyuranecz, Barnabas Toth, Attila D. Sandor, Alexandra Juhasz, Relja Beck, Robert Farkas
Summary: This study found that various ticks carrying tick-borne pathogens were found on wild boars in peri-urban areas of Hungary, suggesting that wild boars may play a significant role in the transmission of tick-borne diseases.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Antonio O. Soares, Danny Haelewaters, Olga M. C. C. Ameixa, Isabel Borges, Peter M. J. Brown, Pedro Cardoso, Michiel D. de Groot, Edward W. Evans, Audrey A. Grez, Axel Hochkirch, Milada Holecova, Alois Honek, Jan Kulfan, Ana Lillebo, Zdenka Martinkova, J. P. Michaud, Oldrich Nedved, Omkar, Helen E. Roy, Swati Saxena, Apoorva Shandilya, Arnaud Sentis, Jiri Skuhrovec, Sandra Viglasova, Peter Zach, Tania Zaviezo, John E. Losey
Summary: Ladybird populations are compromised by anthropogenic threats, and there is a lack of knowledge on the conservation status and factors driving their population dynamics. Short-term actions such as citizen science programs and education are suggested for conservation and recovery, while long-term actions involve the development of a global monitoring program to fill data gaps.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Tamara Szentivanyi, Anne-Caroline Heintz, Wanda Markotter, Jerome Wassef, Philippe Christe, Olivier Glaizot
Summary: The aim of this study was to explore the diversity and distribution of vector-borne microorganisms in bat-associated ectoparasites. The study tested the presence of Bartonella spp., Polychromophilus spp., and Trypanosoma spp. in bat flies and bat fleas collected from Egyptian Rousette bats. The results showed a high prevalence of Bartonella spp. in bat flies, while a low prevalence was found in bat fleas. Polychromophilus and Trypanosoma DNA were not detected in either bat flies or bat fleas. Novel gltA Bartonella sequences were found, as well as genotypes similar to potentially zoonotic ones.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Brianna Santamaria, Annemieke Verbeken, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: Fungi play important roles as decomposers, mutualists, and parasites/pathogens in natural and agricultural settings, but there is a lack of research on their interactions with invertebrates. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of mycophagy in invertebrates by prospecting the existing literature. The search yielded 209 papers covering fungal phyla and invertebrate orders, with field-based observations originating mainly from North America and Europe. Research on invertebrate mycophagy is lacking in some important fungal phyla, invertebrate orders, and geographic regions.
Article
Zoology
Mona Awad, Radka Pialkova, Danny Haelewaters, Oldrich Nedved
Summary: This study investigated the interactions between the ectoparasitic fungus He. harmoniae, the bacteria Spiroplasma and Wolbachia, and the invasive ladybird Ha. axyridis. The results showed that infection with He. harmoniae and Spiroplasma did not affect the level of parasitism by the ectoparasitic fungus, but co-infection with both symbionts resulted in reduced fecundity and hatchability in female ladybirds.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Tamara Szentivanyi, Clifton McKee, Gareth Jones, Jeffrey T. Foster
Summary: Bats have the potential to host and transmit various viruses, including Ebola, Hendra, Nipah, and coronaviruses. However, the study of bacterial pathogens in bats is lacking. This article provides an overview of the host ranges and geographical distribution of potentially zoonotic bacterial genera in bats. Rating: 8 out of 10
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ioana Adriana Matei, Zsuzsa Kalmar, Anamaria Balea, Marian Mihaiu, Attila D. Sandor, Adrian Cocian, Smaranda Craciun, Cosmina Bouari, Violeta Tincuta Briciu, Nicodim Fit
Summary: Wild boars are suggested as suitable sentinel species for tick-borne pathogens and were found to carry Anaplasma phagocytophilum and two Rickettsia species in Romania. These findings indicate their role in the epidemiology of these zoonotic pathogens and their potential as sentinel species for general surveillance.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Zsuzsa Kalmar, Attila D. Sandor, Anamaria Balea, Silvia-Diana Borsan, Ioana Adriana Matei, Angela Monica Ionica, Calin Mircea Gherman, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Anamaria Cozma-Petrut, Viorica Mircean, Adriana Gyorke
Summary: The study examined the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in small mammals in Romania. The overall prevalence of infection was 7.3%, with several species of rodents and shrews carrying T. gondii DNA. The infection showed a patchy occurrence, with long living and highly mobile host species being the most common carriers. The presence of domestic feline and the habitat did not have a significant effect on infection prevalence.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Warre Van Caenegem, Aimee Blondelle, Iris Dumolein, Brianna Santamaria, Carl W. W. Dick, Thomas Hiller, Jingyu Liu, C. Alisha Quandt, Rosa V. Villarreal V. Saucedo, Annemieke Verbeken, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: This paper describes and illustrates five new species of Gloeandromyces associated with bat flies in tropical America. The morphological characteristics, host associations, and phylogenetic reconstruction support the placement of these taxa in the genus Gloeandromyces. The description of these new species doubles the number of known species in the genus, and a dichotomous key to all species and morphotypes is presented.
Article
Mycology
Warre Van Caenegem, Piotr Ceryngier, Jerzy Romanowski, Donald H. Pfister, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes) are microfungi that parasitize the exoskeleton of arthropods. Hesperomyces virescens is a complex of species found on ladybirds, with different species associated with different host genera and geographical locations. In this study, we compare Hesperomyces thalli on Hyperaspis vinciguerrae from the Canary Islands with Hesperomyces hyperaspidis on Hyperaspis sp. from Trinidad. Based on genetic analysis, we found that Hesperomyces sp. ex Hy. vinciguerrae is distinct from He. virescens s.s. and that Hesperomyces sp. ex Chilocorus bipustulatus from Algeria is different from He. virescens s.s. This suggests that host association and biogeography play a role in the speciation of Hesperomyces. We also discuss the potential use of a specific gene, MCM7, for species delimitation in Hesperomyces.
FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Mohammed Lamine Bendjeddou, Farouk Khelfaoui, Awatef Abiadh, Noureddine Mechouk, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Attila D. Sandor
Summary: This study aims to identify the distribution and host-parasite associations of bat ectoparasites in the Grand Maghreb region. The research revealed 43 ectoparasite species, including ticks, mites, bat flies, bugs, and fleas. Several new country records were also documented. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiological implications and highlight the ecological and public health importance of bat ectoparasites.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tamara Szentivanyi, Malik Oedin, Ricardo Rocha
Summary: Due to their close interaction with both wildlife and humans, free-ranging domestic animals, especially cats, may play a significant role in zoonotic disease transmission. This study highlights the potential of community science and social media in expanding our understanding of pet-wildlife interactions and emphasizes the need for more research on the interaction between free-ranging pets and wildlife to better understand their contribution to disease outbreaks.
