1 new adenovirus groups in western 2 palaearctic bats 3

In the context of long-term screening for viruses on Western Palaearctic bats, we tested 16 for the presence of adenovirus 1.392 oropharyngeal swabs and 325 stool samples taken from 27 bat 17 species. Adenoviruses were detected in 12 species of the Vespertilionidae and the Rhinolophidae 18 families. Fifty positive respiratory and 26 positive stool samples were studied. Phylogenetic 19 analyses of partial hexon protein and partial DNA-dependent DNA polymerase genes, indicate all 20 these bat adenoviruses belong to the genus Mastadenovirus but without constituting a monophyletic 21 cluster. According to genetic identities, the new groups are distinct to the previously described Bat 22 mastadenovirus A and B species, and contribute with potentially new members. Our data support 23 that diversity of Bat mastadenovirus is host-dependent and increase the knowledge of potentially 24 pathogenic virus from bats. For human concerns this knowledge is an important Public Health 25 issue due to the active role of bats as viral reservoirs. 26