Virome diversity and potential sharing of wild mammals in a biodiversity hotspot, Yunnan, China

Rodents, bats and small mammals are widely distributed and serve as the natural reservoirs of a diverse group of zoonotic pathogens. Determining the viral diversity and harmful pathogens carried by such wildlife holds the potential to predict, and reduce the risk of future zoonotic viral disease outbreaks. Understanding patterns of viral diversity in wildlife and determinants of successful cross-species transmission of pathogens are crucial objectives for emerging pathogen surveillance. In this study, we conducted a metagenomic analysis of 461 wild mammals, encompassing 17 species, in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture of China, a biodiversity hotspot.