Microbial eukaryotes associated with the gut microbiome of the Valparaiso Myotis bat (Myotis arescens) in anthropized landscapes of central Chile.
We aim of this project is to characterize the eukaryotic microbial communities in the gut microbiome of Myotis arescens, including fungi, metazoan parasites, and protists. Unlike the extensively studied bacterial component of the microbiome, the eukaryotic fraction remains largely unexplored. By assessing bat colonies in landscapes with varying levels of anthropization, we seek to identify potentially pathogenic species present in bat guano and understand the impact of human activities on these bat populations. Our study addresses the implications of human-bat interactions for zoonotic disease transmission and underscores the need for comprehensive research to prevent future outbreaks and preserve ecosystem balance.