Panoramic analysis of coronaviruses carried by representative bat species in Southern China to better understand the coronavirus sphere

Abstract

Bats, recognized as considerable reservoirs for coronaviruses (CoVs), serve as natural hosts for several highly pathogenic CoVs, including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Investigating the bat CoV community provides insights into the origin for highly pathogenic CoVs and highlights bat CoVs with potential spillover risks. This study probes the evolution, recombination, host range, geographical distribution, and cross-species transmission characteristics of bat CoVs across China and its associated CoVs in other regions. Through detailed research on 13,064 bat samples from 14 provinces of China, 1141 CoV strains are found across 10 subgenera and one unclassified Alpha-CoV, generating 399 complete genome sequences. Within bat CoVs, 11 new CoV species are identified and 425 recombination events are detected. Bats in southern China, particularly in Yunnan province, exhibit a pronounced diversity of CoVs. Limited sampling and low detection rates exist for CoVs in Myotacovirus, Nyctacovirus, Hibecovirus, Nobecovirus in China. The genus Myotis is highlighted as a potential ancestral host for Alpha-CoV, with the genus Hipposideros suggested as a likely progenitor host for bat-associated Beta-CoV, indicating the complexity of cross-species transmission dynamics. Through the comprehensive analysis, this study enriches the understanding of bat CoVs and offers a valuable resource for future research.

In this study, Han, Xu, and Wang et al. probe the diversity of bat coronaviruses (CoVs), revealing their evolutionary pattern with hosts. It underscores the evolutionary processes of CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2, and emphasizes the urgency of ongoing bat CoV surveillance.