Molecular Evidence of Orthomyxovirus Presence in Colombian Neotropical Bats.

The Orthomyxoviridae family includes the genera Influenzavirus, Isavirus, Quaranjavirus, and Thogotovirus. In turn, Influenzavirus can be classified into four types: α, ß, γ, and δ (Formerly A, B, C, and D), from which Alphainfluenzavirus (AIV) has the broadest host range, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Additionally, AIV has shown global epidemiological relevance owing to its pandemic potential. The epidemiological relevance of Chiropteran due to its multiple functional characteristics makes them ideal reservoirs for many viral agents. Recently, new influenza-like subtypes have been reported in Neotropical bats, but little is known about the relevance of bats as natural reservoirs of influenza viruses. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the presence of AIV and new influenza-like subtypes in South American bats. For a better understanding of the drivers and interactions between AIV and bats, we used molecular assays with different gene targets (i.e., M, NP, and PB1) to identify AIV in New World bats. A housekeeping gene (CytB) PCR was used to check for nucleic acid preservation and to demonstrate the bat-origin of the samples. A total of 87 free-living bats belonging to 25 different species of the families Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae were collected in Casanare, Colombia. As a result, this study found seven AIV-positive bat species, three of them reported for the first time as AIV prone hosts. Neither of the AIV-like analyzed samples were positive for H17N10/H18/N11 subtypes. Although additional information is needed, the presence of a completely new or divergent AIV subtype in neotropical bats cannot be discarded. Collectively, the results presented here expand the epidemiological knowledge and distribution of AIV in neotropical free-ranging bats and emphasize the need to continue studying these viruses to establish the role they could play as a threat to animal and public health.

Body mass data set for 1,317 bird and 270 mammal species from Colombia.

Body mass is one of the most important phenotypic attributes in animal ecology and life history. This trait is widely used in the fields of ecology and macroevolution, since it influences physiology, morphological functions, and a myriad of ecological and social interactions. In this data set, our aim was to gather a comprehensive bird and mammal body mass data set from northern South America. We report body mass, discriminated by sex, for 42,022 individual birds and 7,441 mammals representing 1,317 bird species (69% of Colombia's avifauna) and 270 mammal species (51% of Colombian mammals) from the Neotropics. The data were sourced from vouchers collected between 1942 and 2020 and from individuals captured and released at banding stations over the last two decades for birds (2000-2020) and the last decade for mammals (2010-2020), by 10 research groups and institutions in Colombia. This data set fills gaps identified in other similar databases, as it focuses on northern South America, a highly diverse Neotropical region often underrepresented in morphological data sets. We provide wide taxonomic coverage for studies interested in information both at regional and local scales. There are no copyright restrictions; the present data paper should be appropriately cited when data are used for publication. The authors would appreciate learning about research projects, teaching exercises, and other uses given to this data set and are open to contribute in further collaborations using these data.

Systematics and Taxonomy of Tonatia saurophila Koopman & Williams, 1951 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae).

The Stripe-headed Round-eared bat, Tonatia saurophila, includes three subspecies: Tonatia saurophila saurophila (known only from subfossil records in Jamaica), Tonatia saurophila bakeri (distributed from southeastern Mexico to northern Colombia, Venezuela west and north of the Cordillera de Mérida, and northwestern Ecuador), and Tonatia saurophila maresi (distributed in Venezuela east and south of the Cordillera de Mérida, the Guianas, Trinidad and Tobago, northeastern Brazil, and along the upper Amazon basin in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia). The last two subspecies are an attractive example to test predictions about the historical role of the Andes in mammalian diversification. Based on morphological descriptions, morphometric analyses, and phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial gene Cyt-b and the nuclear exon RAG2, this study evaluates the intraspecific relationships within Tonatia saurophila and the taxonomic status of the taxon. The three subspecies of T. saurophila are recognizable as full species: Tonatia bakeri, Tonatia maresi, and Tonatia saurophila. The latter is restricted to its type locality and possibly is extinct. Tonatia bakeri, in addition to being larger than T. maresi, is morphologically distinguishable by possessing an acute apex at the posterior edge of the skull, a well-developed clinoid process, and relatively robust mandibular condyles, and by lacking a diastema between the canine and the first lower premolar. The genetic distance between T. bakeri and T. maresi is 7.65%.

ResumenEl Murciélago de orejas redondas de cabeza rayada, Tonatia saurophila, incluye tres subespecies: Tonatia saurophila saurophila (conocida sólo por registros subfósiles en Jamaica), Tonatia saurophila bakeri (distribuida desde el sureste de México hasta el norte de Colombia, Venezuela al oeste y norte de la Cordillera de Mérida, y el noroeste de Ecuador), y Tonatia saurophila maresi (distribuida en Venezuela al este y sur de la Cordillera de Mérida, las Guayanas, Trinidad y Tobago, el noreste de Brasil, y la vertiente amazónica de los Andes de Colombia, Ecuador, Peru y Bolivia). Las dos últimas subespecies representan un ejemplo atractivo para poner a prueba predicciones sobre el rol histórico de los Andes en la diversificación de mamíferos. Con base en descripciones morfológicas, análisis morfométricos y una reconstrucción filogenética empleando el gen mitocondrial Cyt-b y el gen nuclear RAG2, este estudio evalúa las relaciones intraspecíficas dentro de Tonatia saurophila y el estatus taxonómico del taxón. Las tres subespecies de T. saurophila son reconocidas como especies plenas: Tonatia bakeri, T. maresi y T. saurophila. Esta última está restringida a la localidad tipo y posiblemente está extinta. Tonatia bakeri, además de ser de mayor tamaño que T. maresi, se diferencia morfológicamente por poseer un ápice agudo en el borde posterior del cráneo, un proceso clinoideo bien desarrollado y cóndilos mandibulares relativamente robustos, y por carecer de un diastema entre el canino y el primer premolar inferior. La distancia genética entre T. bakeri y T. maresi es 7.65%.

Completitud de inventarios rápidos de diversidad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en la Amazonía noroccidental colombiana / Completeness of rapid assessments of medium and large mammal diversity in the northwestern Amazon in Colombia

Las evaluaciones rápidas de biodiversidad son la fuente de información más común sobre biodiversidad en el noroccidente amazónico en Colombia debido a que los recursos y la logística son limitados. Estas evaluaciones son esenciales para tomar decisiones ambientales en esta área que ha sido impactada por la transformación de sus ecosistemas naturales. Diferentes evaluaciones locales rápidas con cámaras trampa de mamíferos medianos y grandes (MMG) se han realizado en el noroccidente Amazónico en Colombia, pero estas son difícilmente comparables. Nosotros recolectamos la información de 16 evaluaciones rápidas de MMG para proporcionar la primera lista de MMG del noroccidente amazónico en Colombia. Adicionalmente, evaluamos la precisión de cuatro estimadores (ICE, Chao 2, Jackknife 1 y Jackknife 2) y el esfuerzo mínimo de muestreo para la estimación de la riqueza de MMG en estudios locales en esa región. Reportamos 26 especies de MMG para la Amazonía colombiana (entre cinco y 13 especies por localidad), lo que es uns subestimación de la riqueza de MMG en la región. El mejor estimador para este tipo de estudios fue Jackknife 1, debido a su precisión y la baja influencia de singletons. Recomendamos un esfuerzo mínimo de muestreo de 350 cámaras trampa-día. Aunque las evaluaciones rápidas no proveen una estimación robusta de la riqueza de MMG, estas evaluaciones registran las especies más comunes (especies core) y la variación en su abundancia por localidad. Es necesario un mayor esfuerzo de muestreo para evaluar el efecto de la transformación del hábitat sobre los MMG, en especial sobre los parámetros poblacionales de las especies raras. (AU)