The application of genetic markers for EBLV surveillance in European bat species

The United Kingdom has performed passive surveillance for European bat lyssaviruses (EBLVs) since 1987, and species-targeted surveillance since 2003. One critical component of these studies is the accurate identification of bats either submitted for testing or sampled in the field. Identification is dependent on numerous morphological characteristics. Whilst this is an effective means of bat identification, a number of problems remain with this approach. It relies on the experience of bat specialists and can lead to problems in differentiating members of the Myotis genus, particularly between Myotis mystacinus (whiskered bat) and Myotis brandtii (Brandt's bat), and between the most common species of the genus Pipistrellus. Furthermore, degradation of bats submitted for testing can also lead to problems in making an accurate species identification. Comparison of genetic sequence data could offer an alternative approach to differentiating bat species when morphological characterisation is not possible. Using tissue samples from UK resident bat species, sequence analysis of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene, and the beta-actin gene allowed for identification of many of the most common bat species in the UK, and genetic separation of two morphologically cryptic species. Application of this approach identified the species of a bat infected with EBLV-2 in Surrey as Myotis daubentoni (Daubenton's bat).