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Video-recording of rusty-spotted genets (Genetta maculata) consuming cave bats: implications for pathogen transmission
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  • Morgane Labadie,
  • Emmanuel Do Linh San,
  • Serge Morand,
  • Alexandre Caron,
  • Fabien Niama,
  • Franel Nguilili,
  • "N'Kaya -Tobi,
  • Hélène De Nys,
  • Mathieu Bourgarel
Morgane Labadie
CIRAD BIOS

Corresponding Author:morgane.labadie@cirad.fr

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Emmanuel Do Linh San
University of Fort Hare
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Serge Morand
CNRS
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Alexandre Caron
CIRAD
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Fabien Niama
Université Marien Ngouabi
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Franel Nguilili
Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pêche, Direction Générale de l'Elevage
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"N'Kaya -Tobi
Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pêche
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Hélène De Nys
CIRAD
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Mathieu Bourgarel
CIRAD
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Abstract

We present the first videos depicting the consumption of bats by rusty-spotted genets (Genetta maculata) inside a cave in the Republic of Congo. Following the implementation of a camera-trap monitoring protocol of interactions between cave bats and wildlife, we identified important genet activity in one of the caves in our study. Between 2022 and 2023, we recorded four events of bat or rodent consumption (including two with certainty on bats), one hunting attempt on bats and three feeding behaviors on insects. We detail the various behaviors and discuss the potential implications of genets consuming bats, rodents and insects, and in particular scavenging on dead bats. Finally, we address the potential implications of zoonotic pathogen transmission from bats to humans via genets through the bushmeat trade.
11 Sep 2023Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
13 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
13 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
14 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Oct 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending