Disentangling effects of anthropogenic disturbance and community structure on multi-pathogen dynamics in tropical cave-dwelling bat communities

Abstract

Abstract Cave-dwelling bats' persistence in degraded habitats provides a unique opportunity to examine the dual effects of community structure versus habitat degradation on disease prevalence. To evaluate how disturbance and cave complexity influenced bat community composition and the prevalence of multiple pathogens in bat communities, we conducted surveys of 15 caves in Costa Rica along an anthropogenic disturbance gradient. Collecting samples from 1,238 individuals, representing 17 species from four families, we determined the prevalence of four common and divergent pathogens: Bartonella (19.7%), Leptospira(22.7%), Trypanosoma (32.0%), and microfilaria (6.6%). Cave complexity, but not disturbance, predicted bat community composition—however, degraded habitats sustained smaller populations. For bat richness, we found a negative association with Bartonella prevalence, but a positive association with Trypanosoma and microfilaria and no association with Leptospira. Using a multi-host, multi-pathogen system, our work provides insight into the complex patterns of pathogen dynamics and bat community ecology in changing environments.