Molecular Identification of Bat species Based on Mitochondrial DNA Markers

Abstract

Bats are considered reservoirs for multiple viral families. Multiple outbreaks such as Nipah, Hendra, Ebola, MERs-CoV, and SARs CoV are linked to bats. With their complex immune system and unique physical, traits they are resistant to threatening viruses. The consistent emergence of the zoonotic viruses from these species forces the recent academia to concentrate on these species that can pose possible serious threat for future generations. As the recent coronavirus was postulated to emerged from the bat species. Their Identification is crucial as human population are invading wild territory. That can result in encroachment of bats habitats by humans’ which could aids to the danger of spillover. A country like Pakistan that is rich in bat species needs a thorough investigation of the indigenous bats for better monitoring and surveillance. In this study non-invasive method is used to identify the bat species. Bat feces were utilized to extract mitochondrial DNA and subsequently amplified for COI genes. We successfully amplified target genome region and identified the bats as Pteropus giganteas. This is the first report from Pakistan to identify Pteropus giganteas from bat excreta by using mitochondrial DNA markers. Specie identification can help in continuous monitoring of multiple bat species on single roosts. In addition, it can help in keeping a better record of species throughout Pakistan. In addition to specie identification the DNA from feces can be useful to search for ICUN endangered species as well better monitor the flora of Pakistan.