Metagenomic sequencing of Hipposideros ruber guano from Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda

This study took place in Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda, where chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, and red duiker were observed feeding on bat guano following the disappearance of a preferred source of dietary minerals due to selective deforestation. The goal was to understand whether this new behavior (guano consumption) might expose these species of wildlife to bat-borne viruses. Metagenomic sequencing of guano samples revealed 27 eukaryotic viruses, including a novel betacoronavirus. The relevance of the study is that it shows how upstream ecological drivers such as selective deforestation ultimately increase the risk of virus spillover.