Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41612512›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2026

Asynchronous seasonal dynamics of nycteribiid bat flies and Bartonella spp. in Australian flying foxes (Pteropus spp.).

Brent D Jones, Caylee A Falvo, Chris Burwell, Tamika J Lunn, Devin N Jones-Slobodian, Evelyn Benson, Clifton D McKee, Agnieszka Rynda-Apple, Raina K Plowright, Daniel J Becker and 4 more

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Article in Parasites & vectors, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Brent D JonesCentre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia. brent.jones@sydney.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4256-3664
Caylee A FalvoDepartment of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Chris BurwellBiodiversity and Geosciences, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Tamika J LunnOdum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
Devin N Jones-SlobodianDepartment of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
Evelyn BensonDepartment of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
Clifton D McKeeDepartment of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Agnieszka Rynda-AppleDepartment of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
Raina K PlowrightDepartment of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Daniel J BeckerSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.
Kerry L ClarkDepartment of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Hamish McCallumCentre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
Nicholas J ClarkSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.
Alison J PeelSydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

Funding

Australian Research Council DE190100710University of Sydney Horizons Fellowship
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBat flies are ubiquitous ectoparasites of bats, recognised as potential vectors for viral and bacterial transmission between individual bats within a roost. Despite this, little is known about the seasonal dynamics of bat flies. Here, we present the results of a longitudinal study that compares seasonal prevalence and host risk factors for bat fly (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) parasitism with that of Bartonella and Borrelia spp. detected in Pteropus alecto and P. poliocephalus in eastern Australia.

methodsFlying foxes were sampled at nine different roosts in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales between February 2018 and September 2022 using mist nets. Host and ectoparasite data were recorded, and bat fly specimens were collected for identification. Blood samples collected from the flying foxes were screened for the presence of Bartonella and Borrelia DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

resultsEctoparasite data were recorded from 2235 flying foxes and 840 had blood samples screened for Bartonella and Borrelia DNA. Cyclopodia albertisii was the predominate nycteribiid species identified, with few detections of C. australis. Nycteribiid prevalence had a consistent annual cycle (ranging from 8.6% to 100%) that depended on local climatic factors, increasing with increased temperature and humidity during summer and decreasing in winter. Bartonella spp. prevalence exhibited less variation seasonally (ranging from 50% to 100%) with a peak in winter that was driven by host age, with juvenile bats having a reduced probability of infection compared with subadults and adults. Borrelia spp. were rare and showed no clear seasonality.

conclusionsThis study reports the longitudinal occurrence of the blood-borne bacteria Bartonella spp. and their likely ectoparasite vectors in Australian flying foxes. The findings contribute to knowledge of nycteribiid ecology critical for understanding their vector potential within flying fox roosts and provide direction for future research into nycteribiid-mediated transmission dynamics.

Indexed as

BartonellaBartonella InfectionsChiropteraDipteraEctoparasitic InfestationsSeasonsAnimalsAustraliaBorreliaDNA, BacterialFemaleLongitudinal StudiesNew South WalesPrevalenceQueenslandDNA, BacterialBartonellaBat fliesBorreliaChiropteraCyclopodiaEctoparasiteFlying foxHost–parasite interactionNycteribiidaePteropodidaeVectorVector transmission

Identifiers

PMID41612512
PMCPMC12924405

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.