Geographic and Molecular Insights Into Bat Diversity and Virus Distribution in China: Implications for Public Health

Bats are key reservoirs of zoonotic viruses, yet comprehensive data on their diversity and viral carriage across China remain limited. This study compiled national-level data on bat taxonomy, distribution, and associated viruses by integrating information from peer-reviewed publications (PubMed), the ZOVER database, and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences from NCBI. We assessed provincial bat species richness and viral diversity across genera using Shannon and Pielou indices, and applied negative binomial regression to compare viral richness among bat genera. A total of 164 bat species across 36 genera and 8 families were identified, with species richness increasing from north to south. Vespertilionidae and Rhinolophidae were the most widely distributed families. Rhinolophus bats harbored the highest viral diversity, particularly for Coronaviridae. Strong associations were observed between Rhinolophus, Myotis, and Hipposideros bats and several virus families, including Picornaviridae and Reoviridae. Most virus records and genetic sequences originated from southern China, suggesting regional sampling biases. These findings contribute to a clearer understanding of host-virus-geography relationships and support risk-based surveillance strategies. Strengthened molecular monitoring, standardized viral detection protocols, and improved data sharing are essential for early warning and prevention of bat-borne zoonoses.