Abstract
Ecological information on wildlife reservoir hosts is fundamental for
research targeting prevention of zoonotic infectious disease, yet basic
information is lacking for many species in global hotspots of disease
emergence. We provide the first estimates of synchronicity, magnitude,
and timing of seasonal birthing in Mops condylurus , a putative
ebolavirus host, and a co-roosting species, Mops pumilus . We show
that synchronicity of the birth pulse in M. condylurus is wide
(~8.5 weeks), and even wider in M. pumilus(>11 weeks). This is predicted to increase the likelihood
of filovirus persistence under conditions of bi-annual birthing,
consistent with features of an ebolavirus reservoir. Ecological features
underlying the potential magnitude of the birth pulse – relative female
abundance (higher than expected for M. condylurus and lower forM. pumilus ) and reproductive rate (lower than expected) – will
have countering effects on birthing magnitude. Species-specific models
are needed to interpret how identified attributes of the birth pulse may
interact with other features of molossid ebolavirus ecology to influence
infection dynamics. As a common feature of wildlife species, and a key
driver of infection dynamics, detailed information on seasonal birthing
will be fundamental for future research on these species and will be
informative for bat-borne zoonoses generally.
Key words: Africa, Chaerephon, Ebola virus disease, Filovirus, Molossidae, transmission