Editorial: Microbial Symbiosis and Infectious Disease Dynamics in Reptiles and Wildfowl

Xiaoliang Hu¹Hai Li^2*Aijing Liu³Zhenyu Zhang⁴

• ¹Yibin University, Yibin, China
• ²Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
• ³Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
• ⁴University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States

The study of microbial symbioses in reptiles and wildfowl has gained increased attention due to its implications for understanding emerging infectious diseases. Reptiles and wild birds inhabit diverse ecosystems that serve as natural reservoirs for a variety of pathogens, including Adenoviridae, Circoviridae, Retroviridae, and Parvoviridae. This complex interaction has revealed both reptiles and wildfowl as potential reservoirs for emergent diseases, raising concerns about their roles in the spread of infections such as Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) and Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) among others. The pinpointing of these viruses in their systems underlines a significant, yet underexplored, area of microbial interaction and disease dynamics. This Research Topic aims to delve into the ecological and behavioral factors that influence disease transmission between reptiles and wildfowl, assess the health impacts on these animal populations, and identify potential transmission routes and risk factors associated with these interactions. The goal is to uncover novel aspects of pathogen transfer that could influence current practices in wildlife conservation and disease prevention.The six studies in this Research Topic collectively address key questions:How do diet and habitat shape microbial diversity in reptiles? What roles do reptiles play as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens? How do wildfowl contribute to the evolution and spread of viruses? Their findings not only deepen our understanding of host-microbe interactions but also highlight the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address emerging challenges.Long-distance migratory birds play critical roles in the ecology and evolution of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) and are regarded as natural reservoirs for these viruses. Understanding the prevalence of AIVs in wildfowl is essential for effective risk assessment and preparedness against future outbreaks. Ren et al. analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of H12 subtype AIVs worldwide and conducted a comprehensive investigation into the evolutionary and biological characteristics of an H12N2 virus isolated from a whooper swan in Central China. They concluded that the H12N2 strain is a complex reassorted virus and exhibits moderate horizontal transmission in ducks and chickens. Furthermore, the AIV strain could infect mice without prior adaptation and replicates efficiently in MDCK cells, posing a potential risk of mammalian infection. Except infection of AIVs, six types of avian astroviruses were also infected in wildfowl, which cause intestinal and other internal organ diseases. Li et al. Reptilian microbiomes are tightly linked to diet and habitat, with emerging evidence of their role in zoonotic disease transmission. Wildfowl, through migration, drive viral reassortment and spread, posing risks to wildlife, livestock, and humans. Given the complex behaviors and ecological traits of wildfowl and reptiles, future research should prioritize longitudinal, large-scale investigations leveraging high-throughput sequencing to track microbial shifts over time. Expanding diagnostic tools such as multiplex PCR for rapid, on-site pathogen detection will be critical. These efforts will help map transmission networks among reptiles, wildfowl, and other species, including humans, enabling more accurate predictions of disease emergence. Ultimately, such work will deepen our understanding of how wildlife act as reservoir hosts and how their ecological behaviors shape microbial interactions and disease dynamics.