BatFly: A database of Neotropical bat-fly interactions.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Parasitology
• Biodiversity Science

Background:

• Global changes increase emerging infectious disease risk, necessitating study of host-parasite interactions.
• Bats and their ectoparasitic flies (Streblidae, Nycteribiidae) are key models, but data are fragmented.
• Existing knowledge is limited to local-scale records, hindering broader ecological understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a comprehensive dataset of bat-fly interactions in the Neotropics.
• To facilitate research on ecological specialization, pathogen transmission, and disease drivers.
• To support studies on climate and land-use change impacts on host-parasite dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Compiled data from 174 studies (1904-2022) and three original datasets.
• Collected 3984 interaction records across 650 Neotropical sites.
• Extracted, filtered, harmonized data, linking interactions with geographic and population information.

Main Results:

• The dataset includes 3984 records between 237 bat and 255 fly species.
• Key species identified: Carollia perspicillata (bat), Trichobius joblingi (fly).
• Data are available in a tidy format for ecological analysis.

Conclusions:

• The BatFly dataset provides a foundation for large-scale ecological research.
• It enables investigation into factors driving parasite prevalence and specialization.
• Facilitates research on disease ecology and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).