Detection and Serological Evidence of European Bat Lyssavirus 1 in Belgian Bats between 2016 and 2018.

Lyssaviruses are neurotropic viruses capable of inducing fatal encephalitis. While rabies virus has been successfully eradicated in Belgium, the prevalence of other lyssaviruses remains uncertain. In this study, we conducted a survey on live animals and passive surveillance to investigate the presence of lyssaviruses in Belgium.

Exploring the faecal microbiome of the Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea).

Gastrointestinal microbiota fulfill pivotal roles in providing a host with nutrition and protection from pathogenic microorganisms. Up to date, most microbiota research has focused on humans and other mammals, whereas birds and especially wild birds lag behind. Within the field of the avian gut microbiome, research is heavily biased towards poultry.

Forest fragmentation modulates effects of tree species richness and composition on ecosystem multifunctionality.

Forest fragments in highly disturbed landscapes provide important ecosystem services ranging from acting as biodiversity reservoir to providing timber or regulating hydrology. Managing the tree species richness and composition of these fragments to optimize their functioning and the deliverance of multiple ecosystem services is of great practical relevance. However, both the strength and direction of tree species richness and tree species composition effects on forest ecosystem multifunctionality may depend on the landscape context in which these forest remnants are embedded.

Mitigating the impact of microbial pressure on great (Parus major) and blue (Cyanistes caeruleus) tit hatching success through maternal immune investment.

The hatching success of a bird's egg is one of the key determinants of avian reproductive success, which may be compromised by microbial infections causing embryonic death. During incubation, outer eggshell bacterial communities pose a constant threat of pathogen translocation and embryo infection. One of the parental strategies to mitigate this threat is the incorporation of maternal immune factors into the egg albumen and yolk.