Metagenomics and Molecular Detection of Novel Viruses in Feces obtained by Non-invasive Sampling of Free-ranging Agile Wallabies (Notamacropus agilis)

The agile wallaby (Notamacropus agilis) is one of the most abundant marsupial species in northern Queensland and a competent host for the zoonotic Ross River virus. Despite their increased proximity and interactions with humans, little other is known about the viruses harboured or shed by these animals, and whether any is of conservation or One Health importance. Metagenomics and molecular techniques were used in a complementary manner to identify viruses that were present in the feces of free-ranging agile wallabies. We detected a variety of novel and known marsupial-related viruses, comprising adenoviruses, parvoviruses, polyomaviruses, picobirnaviruses, and herpesvirus as well as other viruses that infect bacteria (phages), plants, insects and other eukaryotes. The approach used in this study is a potential tool for monitoring the emergence of viruses of conservation and zoonotic significance.