A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Seasonal dynamics of the wild rodent faecal virome




AuthorsRaghwani Jayna, Faust Christina L, Francois Sarah, Nguyen Dung, Marsh Kirsty, Raulo Aura, Hill Sarah C, Parag Kris V, Simmonds Peter, Knowles Sarah CL, Pybus Oliver G

PublisherWILEY

Publication year2022

JournalMolecular Ecology

Journal name in sourceMOLECULAR ECOLOGY

Journal acronymMOL ECOL

Number of pages14

ISSN0962-1083

eISSN1365-294X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16778

Web address https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16778

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/177971677


Abstract

Viral discovery studies in wild animals often rely on cross-sectional surveys at a single time point. As a result, our understanding of the temporal stability of wild animal viromes remains poorly resolved. While studies of single host-virus systems indicate that host and environmental factors influence seasonal virus transmission dynamics, comparable insights for whole viral communities in multiple hosts are lacking. Utilizing noninvasive faecal samples from a long-term wild rodent study, we characterized viral communities of three common European rodent species (Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flayicollis and Myodes glareolus) living in temperate woodland over a single year. Our findings indicate that a substantial fraction of the rodent virome is seasonally transient and associated with vertebrate or bacteria hosts. Further analyses of one of the most common virus families, Picornaviridae, show pronounced temporal changes in viral richness and evenness, which were associated with concurrent and up to similar to 3-month lags in host density, ambient temperature, rainfall and humidity, suggesting complex feedbacks from the host and environmental factors on virus transmission and shedding in seasonal habitats. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of understanding the seasonal dynamics of wild animal viromes in order to better predict and mitigate zoonotic risks.


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