Microsatellites loci reveal heterozygosis and population structure in vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) of Mexico / Microsatélites revelan heterocigosidad y estructura poblacional de murciélagos vampiro (Desmodus rotundus) (Quiróptera: Phyllostomidae) de México

A limited number of studies have focused on the population genetic structure of vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in America. This medium-sized bat is distributed in tropical areas of the continent with high prevalence in forested livestock areas. The aim of this work was to characterize the vampire population structure and their genetic differentiation. For this, we followed standard methods by which live vampires (caught by mist-netting) and preserved material from scientific collections, were obtained for a total of 15 different locations, ranging from Chihuahua (North) to Quintana Roo (Southeast). Tissue samples were obtained from both live and collected animals, and the genetic differentiation, within and among localities, was assessed by the use of seven microsatellite loci. Our results showed that all loci were polymorphic and no private alleles were detected. High levels of heterozygosis were detected when the proportion of alleles in each locus were compared. Pairwise F ST and R ST detected significant genetic differentiation among individuals from different localities. Our population structure results indicate the presence of eleven clusters, with a high percentage of assigned individuals to some specific collecting site. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (2): 659-669. Epub 2014 June 01.

Muy pocos trabajos se han enfocado en el estudio genético de las poblaciones de vampiro (Desmodus rotundus) en América. Este murciélago de tamaño mediano se encuentra distribuido en las áreas tropicales de América, con una gran prevalencia en zonas de ganadería. La recolecta de tejidos se realizó mediante redes de niebla y en con ejemplares de colecciones, estas dan un total de 15 localidades. Mediante el uso de siete microsatellites, nosotros estudiamos la diferenciación genética dentro y entre localidades muestreadas, estas fueron desde Chihuahua en el norte, hasta Quintana Roo en el sureste. Todos los loci fueron polimórficos y no se encontraron alelos privados. Se encontraron altos niveles de heterócigos cuando se compararon la proporción de alelos en cada locus. Comparaciones pareadas de F ST y R ST mostraron una diferenciación genética entre los individuos de las diferentes localidades. Los resultados de estructura genética indican la presencia de once clusters, con un alto porcentaje de asignación de los individuos a las localidades en donde fueron recolectados.

Desmodus rotundus (Mammalia: Chiroptera) on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil / Desmodus rotundus (Mammalia: Chiroptera), na costa sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Since the 1990s, attacks by hematophagous bats on humans and domestic animals have been reported both on the continent and on the islands on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state. The density of vampire bats was investigated based on percentage of captures during control of Desmodus rotundus samplings and during bat diversity research. In the present work, 203 individuals of D. rotundus were captured from 1993 to 2009, which corresponds to 11.88 percent of all bat captures carried out for species control in local villages and 1.58 percent of all captures in faunistic inventories. The density of D. rotundus is high even on the recently occupied islands where domestic animals have been introduced. It is probable that this species dispersed from the continent to the islands due to the introduction of domestic animals.

Desde 1990 ataques de morcegos hematófagos em humanos e animais domésticos têm sido reportados tanto no continente como nas ilhas da costa sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro. A densidade de morcegos vampiros foi investigada baseada na percentagem de capturas durante amostragens para o controle de Desmodus rotundus e durante amostragens para pesquisas da diversidade. No presente trabalho 203 indivíduos de D. rotundus foram capturados entre 1993 e 2009, que correspondem a 11,88 por cento de todas as capturas de morcegos para o controle da espécie em vilarejos locais e 1,58 por cento de todas as capturas em inventários faunísticos. A densidade de D. rotundus é alta mesmo em ilhas recentemente ocupadas onde animais domésticos foram introduzidos. É provável que esta espécie disperse a partir do continente para as ilhas devido à introdução dos animais domésticos.

Paralytic rabies in swine

Rabies transmitted by vampire bats was diagnosed in pigs with paralysis of the pelvic limbs. Diffuse nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis, affecting mainly the spinal cord, was observed histologically. Despite the various diagnosis of rabies in pigs this is the first report of clinical signs and pathology of rabies transmitted by vampire bats.

Descriptive ecology of bat flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea) associated with vampire bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in the cerrado of Central Brazil

We studied the ectoparasitic bat flies of three phyllostomid vampire bat species. Bats were collected monthly from April 2004-March 2005 in caves within the Cafuringa Environmental Protection Area in the Federal District of Brazil. A total of 1,259 specimens from six species in the Streblidae family were collected from 332 bats. High host affinity from the sampled bat fly species and high prevalence of bat flies confirms the primary fly-host associations (Strebla wiedemanni, Trichobius parasiticus and Trichobius furmani with Desmodus, Trichobius diaemi and Strebla diaemi with Diaemus and T. furmani with Diphylla). Male flies outnumbered females in several associations. Some of the observed associations (e.g., Strebla mirabilis with Desmodus and S. mirabilis, Trichobius uniformis and S. wiedemanni with Diphylla) were inconclusive and the causes of the associations were unclear. There are several explanations for these associations, including (i) accidental contamination during sampling, (ii) simultaneous capture of several host species in the same net or (iii) genuine, but rare, ecological associations. Although various species of vampire bats share roosts, have similar feeding habits and are close phylogenetic relatives, they generally do not share ectoparasitic streblid bat flies. T. diaemi and S. diaemi associations with Diaemus youngi have not been previously reported in this region.

Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in Botucatu region, SP, Brazil

The destruction of natural ecosystems has caused several problems to humans and other animals; herein we investigate the close relationship among vampire bats, humans and domestic animals. Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp. infections are two worldwide zoonoses that provoke serious damage to animals. To determine the prevalence of bats seropositive for toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis in the Botucatu region, 204 serum samples of vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) were tested for T. gondii antibodies by modified agglutination test (MAT-t) and for Leptospira spp. by microscopic agglutination test (MAT-l). No animal was tested positive for T. gondii while leptospiral positivity was 7.8 percent for Pyrogenes, Shermani and Javanica serovars, with titers varying from 100 to 1,600. Thus, it was verified that D. rotundus does not play a relevant role in toxoplasmosis epidemiology. However, these bats can be important in the maintenance of Leptospira spp. in the environment.(AU)

Ocorrência de Diaemus youngi (Jentink 1893), Chiroptera, no estado do Rio de Janeiro / Occurrence of Diaemus youngi (Jentink 1893), Chiroptera, in the State of Rio de Janeiro

Diaemus youngi é um morcego hematófago obrigatório que se alimenta preferencialmente do sangue de aves. Este morcego é considerado o menos freqüente entre as três espécies hematófagas ao longo de toda a sua distribuição geográfica. Entre 2000 e 2006, foram realizadas campanhas para a captura de morcegos hematófagos em sete localidades do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, onde ataques a aves haviam sido reportadas por proprietários de terra. Morcegos foram capturados em redes de neblina abertas durante duas ou três noites em cada localidade, geralmente próximas às aves atacadas. Um total de oito espécimes de D. youngi foi coletado nas sete localidades estudadas, e dois registros feitos por outros pesquisadores em outras duas localidades foram confirmados para o Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Diaemus youngi prefere, aparentemente, restringir seus ataques a aves domésticas e selvagens que apresentam o comportamento de se empoleirar. Esta espécie de morcego pode apresentar abundância e área de distribuição maiores do que as aqui descritas, a julgar pelo número de relatos de ataques em criatórios comerciais de aves ornamentais que criam animais em regime de semi-liberdade no Sudeste do Brasil.

Diaemus youngi is a vampire bat that feeds preferentially on bird blood. This bat is considered as the least frequent among the three hematofagous species throughout its geographical distribution. From 2000 to 2006, surveys for vampire control were carried out in seven localities from the State of Rio de Janeiro where attacks to birds were reported by land owners. Bats were captured in mist nets opened during two or three nights in each locality, usually in the vicinity of attacked birds. A total of eight specimens of D. youngi were collected in the seven studied localities and two records from two other localities made by other researchers were confirmed for the State of Rio de Janeiro. Apparently, D. youngi prefers to prey on domestic and wild birds that rest on high perches. This bat species may present higher abundance and larger distribution range those described here, judging by the number of reports of attacks in commercial houses of ornamental birds that raise animals in semi-freedom in Southeastern Brazil.

Serological survey for rabies in serum samples from vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in Botucatu region, SP, Brazil

The chiropterans constitute 25% of the world's mammal fauna. Due to the destruction of their natural ecosystem, the vampire bats have moved from nature to artificial roosts closer to man and domestic animals. This phenomenon has happened particularly in rural areas. Rabies is a viral anthropozoonosis, 100% lethal, and vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) represent an important role in its epidemiology. D. rotundus were captured at night with mesh nets in partnership with the Botucatu Defense Office and sent to the Zoonosis Diagnostic Service, at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, UNESP. Serum samples from 204 bats were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescent antibody viral neutralization test (FAVN) for rabies antibody detection. The results showed 7.4% of sera with titers higher or equal to 0.5 U for rabies antibodies, which demonstrated viral flow circulation among the studied region. Data suggest a need for constant monitoring accomplished by epidemiological and sanitary measures.(AU)