Coevolution of Coronavirus and Paramyxovirus with Their Bat Hosts in the Same Geographical Areas

Abstract Background: Bat-borne viruses are relatively host specific. In this study, we investigated the coevolution of coronavirus and paramyxovirus with their bat hosts. Published nucleotide sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of 60 coronaviruses isolated from 37 bat species, the RNA polymerase large (L) gene of 36 paramyxoviruses isolated from 29 bat species, and the cytochrome B ( cytB ) gene of 35 bat species were analyzed for coevolution signals. Each coevolution signal detected was tested and verified by the ParaFit and PACo functions in the R program. Results: Significant coevolution signals were detected in coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses and their bat hosts, and closely related bat hosts were found to carry closely related viruses. Conclusions: Our results suggest that similar geographical distribution and close phylogenetic relationship are requisites for inter-species transmission of viruses.