We describe a new species (Sinospelaeobdella jiangxiensissp. n.) from a natural cave in southwestern Jiangxi Province, China, according to external and internal morphology and COI gene sequences. S. jiangxiensissp. n. is distinguishable from other species of Sinospelaeobdella primarily by morphological characteristics, including body length, the position of the fifth pair of eyes and the first pair of testes, the number of caeca, and the shape and number of auricular projections. We also estimate its phylogenetic position within the genus Sinospelaeobdella. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the morphological delimitation of S. jiangxiensissp. n. as separate from S. wulingensis. Both the morphological and molecular data support S. jiangxiensissp. n. as a new species, so the results provide critical data for the determination and conservation of Sinospelaeobdella, and enhance the documented diversity of this recently established genus.

Since the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002, bats have been recognized as important reservoirs of diverse coronaviruses (CoVs). Despite extensive research on the broad geographic transmission of bat CoVs, there is a notable gap in understanding the transmission dynamics within sympatric bat communities. Using a phylogeographic Bayesian statistical framework, we examined CoV transmission patterns and their determinants in a region where four bat roosting caves coexist and CoVs circulate persistently. Our findings reveal that two subgenera of CoVs, α-CoVs and β-CoVs dominate different bat caves at varying times. Notably, β-CoVs show more frequent cross-species transmission events among the dominant reservoir hosts, bats of Rhinolophidae. Phylogenetic distance between host species emerges as the key influence factor of viral cross-species transmission, whereas cohabitation duration and the number of hosts sharing caves do not significantly influence viral transmission. In addition, we emphasize that the compositional similarity of species in the roosting caves is critical for the inter-cave transmission of bat-CoVs, rather than the distance between cave. These results provide novel insights into the complex transmission dynamics of bat CoVs within sympatric bat communities.

Bats are reservoirs for many emerging viruses, yet broad-scale spatial patterns of bat viromes and their ecological determinants remain unclear, limiting spillover risk assessment. To address this, we conducted a standardized survey across central to southern China. During 2022–2023, fecal samples were collected from 527 bats representing 17 species at 21 caves in seven provinces. Using each cave as the analytical unit, samples from all species at a site were pooled to construct 21 fecal RNA virome libraries for metatranscriptomic sequencing; viral-like contigs were annotated, and viral alpha/beta diversity was quantified at the genus level. Sites were grouped by geographic distance and latitude to evaluate spatial differentiation and to relate virome patterns to host community attributes and environmental factors. We annotated 56 viral families, including 19 vertebrate-associated families, with multiple families and genera shared across geographic groupings. Vertebrate-associated viral diversity showed limited evidence of geographic isolation within the study region but suggested gradual turnover with latitude. Host species richness was the strongest correlate of virome diversity, exceeding the effects of evaluated environmental variables (e.g., climate and human activity). These results support prioritization of species-rich bat habitats for surveillance and risk assessment.

The Bactrian camel is a key economic livestock species in China and around the world. It yields meat and milk (high-quality functional foods), and the milk reports health benefits. Dromedary camels, as intermediate hosts of MERS-CoV, have garnered significant public health attention. In contrast, viral surveillance in Bactrian camels from the same genus as dromedaries has received limited attention, with only sporadic or regionally confined reports available. Systematic investigations into the virome of viral species, viral diversity, and novel viruses in Bactrian camels are lacking. In this study, swabs were collected from 701 Bactrian camels in China. Through metagenomics, 3262 viral contigs were classified into 16 viral phyla, 29 viral families, and an unclassified group. The different landforms were found to influence viral diversity and composition in Bactrian camels, with mountainous area exerting the greatest impact. The viral composition significantly differed between captive and free-ranging camels. The study identified at least 12 viruses with zoonotic potential, and phylogenetic analysis indicated cross-species transmission in some of them. Additionally, picornavirus, circular Rep-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA virus, and polyomavirus from Bactrian camels may represent novel species or genotypes. To summarize, in this study, we described the baseline virome profile of Chinese Bactrian camels, investigated the ecological factors influencing the viral distribution of Bactrian camels, identified key potential viral risks, and provided a scientific basis for the prevention, control, and early warning of critical viral diseases in Bactrian camels from China.