229E- and NL63-like coronaviruses in phyllostomid bats, Belize

Abstract

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a diverse group of RNA viruses that infect a broad range of hosts, including many bat species. The emergence of several CoVs, specifically α-CoVs and β-coVs causing significant human and domestic animal diseases, has been linked to bats. Characterizing the evolutionary relationships and host associations of bat-borne CoVs is crucial for understanding and mitigating zoonotic risks. While most bat CoV research has focused on the Eastern Hemisphere, the diversity of CoVs in Neotropical bats remains relatively understudied. Here, we report novel and previously identified α-CoV diversity in three phyllostomid bats (Desmodus rotundus, Carollia sowelli, and Sturnira parvidens) in Belize. Our analysis targeting the partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene revealed varying prevalence (22.22 - 36.36 %) across these species. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests strong similarity between two Neotropical bat α-CoV lineages and human CoVs (229E and NL63), illustrating new evolutionary relationships compared to prior bat α-CoVs.