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One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)2016; 2; 115-121; doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2016.07.004

Climatic suitability influences species specific abundance patterns of Australian flying foxes and risk of Hendra virus spillover.

Abstract: Hendra virus is a paramyxovirus of Australian flying fox bats. It was first detected in August 1994, after the death of 20 horses and one human. Since then it has occurred regularly within a portion of the geographical distribution of all Australian flying fox (fruit bat) species. There is, however, little understanding about which species are most likely responsible for spillover, or why spillover does not occur in other areas occupied by reservoir and spillover hosts. Using ecological niche models of the four flying fox species we were able to identify which species are most likely linked to spillover events using the concept of distance to the niche centroid of each species. With this novel approach we found that 20 out of 27 events occur disproportionately closer to the niche centroid of two species (. and . ). With linear regressions we found a negative relationship between distance to the niche centroid and abundance of these two species. Thus, we suggest that the bioclimatic niche of these two species is likely driving the spatial pattern of spillover of Hendra virus into horses and ultimately humans.
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Publication Date: 2016-07-29 PubMed ID: 28616484PubMed Central: PMC5441320DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2016.07.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper investigates the patterns of Australian flying foxes and their connection to the spread of the Hendra virus, discovering a relationship between the bats’ habitats and spillover incidents. The study identifies two species of fruit bats that are significantly associated with 20 out of 27 spillover events, suggesting that the habitat of these two species is influencing the geographical spread of the virus.

Understanding Hendra virus and flying foxes

  • The Hendra virus, found in Australian flying fox bats, was first discovered following incidents in 1994 where 20 horses and a human died. It has since been regularly documented in regions inhabited by all species of fruit bats in Australia.
  • The research aims to identify the exact species of bat that are most likely to cause Hendra virus spillover and why certain areas within the bats’ geographical range have not experienced this spillover effect.

Methodology and Findings

  • The research used ecological niche modeling of the four species of flying foxes. An ecological niche refers to the role of a species within an ecosystem, including its interactions with other species and its environment.
  • The model was used to determine which species are most likely to be linked to spillover events by examining the “distance to the niche centroid” of each species.
  • Of the tracked spillover events, 20 out of 27 occurred significantly closer to the niche centroids of two unnamed bat species, suggesting a link between these species and the spillover of the Hendra virus.

Relationship between Bats’ Niche and Spillover

  • Linear regressions revealed a negative relationship between the distance to the niche centroid and the abundance of the two bat species. This signifies that the closer a region is to the bats’ habitat centroid, the higher the number of bat populations, and hence, the higher the risk of Hendra virus spillover.
  • Therefore, the study proposes that the bioclimatic niches of the two bat species are influencing the geographical distribution of Hendra virus spillover into horses and, by extension, into humans. “Bioclimatic niches” refer to the areas most suitable for a species based on climate-related factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Martin GA, Yanez-Arenas C, Roberts BJ, Chen C, Plowright RK, Webb RJ, Skerratt LF. (2016). Climatic suitability influences species specific abundance patterns of Australian flying foxes and risk of Hendra virus spillover. One Health, 2, 115-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2016.07.004

Publication

One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
ISSN: 2352-7714
NlmUniqueID: 101660501
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 2
Pages: 115-121

Researcher Affiliations

Martin, Gerardo A
  • One Health Research Group, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
Yanez-Arenas, Carlos
  • Laboratorio de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Yucatán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
Roberts, Billie J
  • School of Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Chen, Carla
  • One Health Research Group, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
Plowright, Raina K
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
Webb, Rebecca J
  • One Health Research Group, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
Skerratt, Lee F
  • One Health Research Group, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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