Molecular characterization of fungal species in bats from Brazil's Atlantic Forest.

Abstract

Molecular identification of fungal species associated with insectivorous bats provides critical insights into their role as reservoirs of fungi, including potential pathogens. This is the first study to performed molecular identification of fungal species in insectivorous bats captured from the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil. Aspergillus sydowii and Penicillium crustosum were frequently isolated from Myotis sp., with P. crustosum also dominating samples from Molossus molossus, alongside Aspergillus subalbidus. Cladosporium spp. were prevalent in Eptesicus diminutus, while Sarocladium was uniquely associated with Tryroptera tricolor. Notably, several identified species are known pathogens of humans, animals, and plants. Fungal species in bats remain poorly understood, representing a significant gap in the field of fungal ecology. This gap is particularly notable in Brazilian biomes, where research on this topic is still scarce. Efforts should focus on minimizing habitat loss for bats and mitigating forest disturbances to reduce their interactions with humans, crops, and other animals. Such measures are essential to prevent the dispersal of fungal pathogen spores and safeguard ecological and public health.