title: Novel paramyxoviruses in Australian flying-fox populations support host-virus co-evolution.
abstract: Understanding the diversity of henipaviruses and related viruses is important in determining the viral ecology within flying-fox populations and assessing the potential threat posed by these agents. This study sought to identify the abundance and diversity of previously unknown paramyxoviruses (UPVs) in Australian flying-fox species (Pteropus alecto, Pteropus scapulatus, Pteropus poliocephalus and Pteropus conspicillatus) and in the Christmas Island species Pteropus melanotus natalis. Using a degenerative reverse transcription-PCR specific for the L gene of known species of the genus Henipavirus and two closely related paramyxovirus genera Respirovirus and Morbillivirus, we identified an abundance and diversity of previously UPVs, with a representative 31 UPVs clustering in eight distinct groups (100 UPVs/495 samples). No new henipaviruses were identified. The findings were consistent with a hypothesis of co-evolution of paramyxoviruses and their flying-fox hosts. Quantification of the degree of co-speciation between host and virus (beyond the scope of this study) would strengthen this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: 1Queensland Centre of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia 2School of Health and Sports Science, University of Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Down Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia.
authors.forename: Miranda E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Vidgen
authors.affiliation: 1Queensland Centre of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: 3Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, PO Box 20, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia 4School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Karrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: 3Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, PO Box 20, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: 1Queensland Centre of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia 5EcoHealth Alliance, 460 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, USA.
authors.forename: Hume E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Field
authors.affiliation: 1Queensland Centre of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia.
authors.forename: Craig S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D014644:Genetic Variation; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010252:Paramyxoviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017385:Sequence Homology
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral