{
  "abstract": "Influenza A (IAV) is a major zoonotic pathogen infecting a broad range of vertebrate hosts. In this study, we focus on inferring the evolutionary history of a subset of novel IAV, isolated from New World bats, which use a non-canonical host receptor and infer their relationship to sialic-acid-binding IAV. Little is known about when these novel subtypes emerged and how selection has acted upon them compared to sialic-acid-binding circulating strains. The current state of the field is split on whether bats are natural reservoirs for a distinct yet low abundance IAV lineage, or if influenza underwent rapid evolution after a recent spillover from a species within its standard host range. By analyzing segment-specific phylogenies, we hope to clarify the evolutionary history of bat IAV. Our objectives are to infer the date of divergence of non-canonical bat IAV from sialic-acid binding IAV, identify patterns of selection acting on bat IAV compared to representative samples of sialic-acid-binding IAV to identify potential signatures of genome-wide adaptation, and finally to reconstruct ancestral state transitions to infer which host taxa preceded spillover into bats. To accomplish this, we analyzed each IAV genome segment independently using least-squares molecular dating, Bayesian discrete-trait ancestral host reconstruction, and branch-site selection tests. Our results suggest that non-canonical bat IAV diverged from major IAV lineages 100-200 years ago, supporting a deeper evolutionary history rather than a very recent spillover event. However, discordance among genome segments in inferred divergence times, selective pressures, and ancestral hosts indicates that bat IAV experienced segment-specific evolutionary histories. Together, these findings suggest that non-canonical bat IAV represents a deeply divergent lineage with a complex evolutionary history involving segment-specific selection and host-transition dynamics.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Texas Tech University"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. Rowell"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. G. Johnson"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Rasmussen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "L. M. Bono"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a29d8peh6a6d5.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.14.754429",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.14.754429v1.full",
  "id": "a29d8peh6a6d5",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.14.754429v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "microbiology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Influenza Virus Research Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221804092",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.14.754429v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-14",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a29d8peh6a6d5.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:27:51Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.14.754429",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.14.754429v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:microbiology",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Evolutionary reconstruction of bat influenza A viruses reveals segment-specific histories and host-associated selection",
  "title_text": "Evolutionary reconstruction of bat influenza A viruses reveals segment-specific histories and host-associated selection",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:27:51Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a29d8peh6a6d5",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}