Ecological-based insights into bat populations in the Yucatan Peninsula under a One Health approach: coexistence or biophobia

Research on bat populations in the Yucatán Peninsula reveals that land use significantly impacts both bat diversity and their gut microbiome, with conserved and agricultural landscapes supporting higher species richness compared to suburban areas. The study identified 18 bat species, predominantly frugivorous, from 308 sampled individuals, establishing a baseline for zoonotic disease screening in the region. Using a One Health approach, the team also assessed public perception, finding that children generally exhibited positive responses toward bats, underscoring the need for educational initiatives to foster biophilic attitudes. The gut microbiome of these bats was dominated by Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, and Actinobacterota, with notable bacterial families including Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae.

Sánchez-Soto, Ma. F., Gaona, O., Mercado-Juárez, R., Yanez-Montalvo, A., de León-Lorenzana, A., Borja-Martínez, G., Zaldívar, D., Rodríguez-González, S., Hernández-Villegas, E. N., Moreira-Soto, A., Drexler, J. F., Suzán, G., Vázquez-Domínguez, E., & Falcón, L. I. (2025). Ecological-based insights into bat populations in the Yucatán Peninsula under a One Health approach: coexistence or biophobia. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1488378