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Hemnani M, da Silva PG, Thompson G, Poeta P, Rebelo H, Mesquita JR. Presence of Alphacoronavirus in Tree- and Crevice-Dwelling Bats from Portugal. Viruses 2024; 16:434. [PMID: 38543799 PMCID: PMC10976264 DOI: 10.3390/v16030434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are RNA viruses capable of infecting a wide range of hosts, including mammals and birds, and have caused significant epidemics such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Bats, the second most diverse mammalian order, are hosts for various CoVs due to their unique immune responses and ecological traits. This study investigates CoV prevalence in crevice- and tree-dwelling bats in Portugal, a country with limited prior research on bat CoVs. Using nested RT-PCR and sequencing, we screened 87 stool samples from bats, identifying one sample (1.15%) that was positive for Alphacoronavirus, belonging to Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close genetic relationships with Alphacoronavirus strains from the same bat species in Europe. The low prevalence suggests habitat-specific differences in viral transmission, with cave-dwelling bats exhibiting higher CoV prevalence due to population density and behaviour. These findings underscore the necessity for sustained surveillance efforts aimed at comprehending CoV dynamics within bat populations, especially concerning the risk of spillover events and viral evolution. Vital to this understanding is the monitoring of bat migration patterns, which serves as a crucial tool for elucidating CoV ecology and epidemiology. Such efforts are essential for ongoing research endeavours aimed at mitigating the potential for future zoonotic disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Hemnani
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
| | - Priscilla Gomes da Silva
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gertrude Thompson
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
- Biopolis-CIBIO/InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
| | - Patrícia Poeta
- Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Team (MicroART), Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV), Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University NOVA of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hugo Rebelo
- Biopolis-CIBIO/InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
- cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João R. Mesquita
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Couto RDS, Ramos EDSF, Abreu WU, Rodrigues LRR, Marinho LF, Morais VDS, Villanova F, Pandey RP, Deng X, Delwart E, da Costa AC, Leal E. Metagenomic of Liver Tissue Identified at Least Two Genera of Totivirus-like Viruses in Molossus molossus Bats. Microorganisms 2024; 12:206. [PMID: 38276191 PMCID: PMC10819564 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The Totiviridae family of viruses has a unique genome consisting of double-stranded RNA with two open reading frames that encode the capsid protein (Cap) and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRpol). Most virions in this family are isometric in shape, approximately 40 nm in diameter, and lack an envelope. There are five genera within this family, including Totivirus, Victorivirus, Giardiavirus, Leishmaniavirus, and Trichomonasvirus. While Totivirus and Victorivirus primarily infect fungi, Giardiavirus, Leishmaniavirus, and Trichomonasvirus infect diverse hosts, including protists, insects, and vertebrates. Recently, new totivirus-like species have been discovered in fish and plant hosts, and through metagenomic analysis, a novel totivirus-like virus (named Tianjin totivirus) has been isolated from bat guano. Interestingly, Tianjin totivirus causes cytopathic effects in insect cells but cannot grow in mammalian cells, suggesting that it infects insects consumed by insectivorous bats. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing and identified totivirus-like viruses in liver tissue from Molossus molossus bats in the Amazon region of Brazil. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region revealed that the viruses identified in Molossus bats belong to two distinct phylogenetic clades, possibly comprising different genera within the Totiviridae family. Notably, the mean similarity between the Tianjin totivirus and the totiviruses identified in Molossus bats is less than 18%. These findings suggest that the diversity of totiviruses in bats is more extensive than previously recognized and highlight the potential for bats to serve as reservoirs for novel toti-like viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roseane da Silva Couto
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Endrya do Socorro Foro Ramos
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Wandercleyson Uchôa Abreu
- Programa de Pos-Graduação REDE Bionorte, Polo Pará, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, Brazil;
| | - Luis Reginaldo Ribeiro Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Genetics & Biodiversity, Institute of Educational Sciences, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, Brazil;
| | | | - Vanessa dos Santos Morais
- Laboratory of Virology (LIM 52), Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil; (V.d.S.M.); (A.C.d.C.)
| | - Fabiola Villanova
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Ramendra Pati Pandey
- School of Health Sciences and Technology (SoHST), UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India;
| | - Xutao Deng
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Eric Delwart
- Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Antonio Charlys da Costa
- Laboratory of Virology (LIM 52), Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil; (V.d.S.M.); (A.C.d.C.)
| | - Elcio Leal
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem 66075-000, PA, Brazil; (R.d.S.C.); (E.d.S.F.R.); (F.V.)
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Weber MN, da Silva MS. Corona- and Paramyxoviruses in Bats from Brazil: A Matter of Concern? Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:88. [PMID: 38200819 PMCID: PMC10778288 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chiroptera are one of the most diverse mammal orders. They are considered reservoirs of main human pathogens, where coronaviruses (CoVs) and paramyxoviruses (PMVs) may be highlighted. Moreover, the growing number of publications on CoVs and PMVs in wildlife reinforces the scientific community's interest in eco-vigilance, especially because of the emergence of important human pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 and Nipha viruses. Considering that Brazil presents continental dimensions, is biologically rich containing one of the most diverse continental biotas and presents a rich biodiversity of animals classified in the order Chiroptera, the mapping of CoV and PMV genetics related to human pathogens is important and the aim of the present work. CoVs can be classified into four genera: Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Deltacoronavirus and Gammacoronavirus. Delta- and gammacoronaviruses infect mainly birds, while alpha- and betacoronaviruses contain important animal and human pathogens. Almost 60% of alpha- and betacoronaviruses are related to bats, which are considered natural hosts of these viral genera members. The studies on CoV presence in bats from Brazil have mainly assayed phyllostomid, molossid and vespertilionid bats in the South, Southeast and North territories. Despite Brazil not hosting rhinophilid or pteropodid bats, which are natural reservoirs of SARS-related CoVs and henipaviruses, respectively, CoVs and PMVs reported in Brazilian bats are genetically closely related to some human pathogens. Most works performed with Brazilian bats reported alpha-CoVs that were closely related to other bat-CoVs, despite a few reports of beta-CoVs grouped in the Merbecovirus and Embecovirus subgenera. The family Paramyxoviridae includes four subfamilies (Avulavirinae, Metaparamyxovirinae, Orthoparamyxovirinae and Rubulavirinae), and bats are significant drivers of PMV cross-species viral transmission. Additionally, the studies that have evaluated PMV presence in Brazilian bats have mainly found sequences classified in the Jeilongvirus and Morbillivirus genera that belong to the Orthoparamyxovirinae subfamily. Despite the increasing amount of research on Brazilian bats, studies analyzing these samples are still scarce. When surveying the representativeness of the CoVs and PMVs found and the available genomic sequences, it can be perceived that there may be gaps in the knowledge. The continuous monitoring of viral sequences that are closely related to human pathogens may be helpful in mapping and predicting future hotspots in the emergence of zoonotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Nunes Weber
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade FEEVALE, Novo Hamburgo 93525-075, RS, Brazil;
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Llanco L, Retamozo K, Oviedo N, Manchego A, Lázaro C, Navarro-Mamani DA, Santos N, Rojas M. Co-Circulation of Multiple Coronavirus Genera and Subgenera during an Epizootic of Lethal Respiratory Disease in Newborn Alpacas ( Vicugna pacos) in Peru: First Report of Bat-like Coronaviruses in Alpacas. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2983. [PMID: 37760383 PMCID: PMC10525639 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, domestic animals, and wildlife, typically causing mild-to-severe respiratory or enteric disease. The main objective of this study was to identify CoV genera and subgenera detected in Peruvian alpacas. Lung lavage specimens were collected from 32 animals aged 1 to 6 weeks. CoVs were identified by using RT-PCR to amplify a pan-CoV conserved region of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase-encoding gene. A nested PCR was performed to identify β-CoVs. Then, β-CoV-positive samples were subjected to RT-PCR using specific primers to identify the Embecovirus subgenus. Out of 32 analyzed samples, 30 (93.8%) tested positive for at least one CoV genus. β-, α-, or unclassified CoVs were identified in 24 (80%), 1 (3.3%), and 1 (3.3%) of the positive samples, respectively. A CoV genus could not be identified in two (6.7%) samples. A mixture of different CoV genera was detected in two (6.7%) samples: one was co-infected with β- and α-CoVs, and the other contained a β- and an unclassified CoV. A sequence analysis of the amplicons generated by the PCR identified 17 β-CoV strains belonging to the subgenus Embecovirus and two α-CoV strains belonging to Decacovirus. A phylogenetic analysis of two strains revealed a relationship with an unclassified Megaderma BatCoV strain. A subgenus could not be identified in nine β-CoV samples. Our data show a high prevalence and a high genetic diversity of CoV genera and subgenera that infect alpacas, in which the β-CoV subgenus Embecovirus predominated. Our data also suggest a new role for bats in the dissemination and transmission of uncommon CoVs to alpacas raised in rural Peru.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Llanco
- Escuela de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Apartado, Chincha 15067, Peru;
| | - Karubya Retamozo
- Laboratório de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado, Lima 03-5137, Peru; (K.R.); (N.O.); (A.M.)
| | - Noriko Oviedo
- Laboratório de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado, Lima 03-5137, Peru; (K.R.); (N.O.); (A.M.)
| | - Alberto Manchego
- Laboratório de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado, Lima 03-5137, Peru; (K.R.); (N.O.); (A.M.)
| | - César Lázaro
- Laboratório de Farmacología y Toxicología Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado, Lima 03-5137, Peru;
| | - Dennis A. Navarro-Mamani
- Laboratório de Virología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado, Lima 03-5137, Peru;
| | - Norma Santos
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Miguel Rojas
- Laboratório de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado, Lima 03-5137, Peru; (K.R.); (N.O.); (A.M.)
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Caraballo DA, Sabio MS, Colombo VC, Piccirilli MG, Vico L, Hirmas Riade SM, Campos J, Martínez G, Beltrán F, Baumeister E, Cisterna DM. The Role of Molossidae and Vespertilionidae in Shaping the Diversity of Alphacoronaviruses in the Americas. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0314322. [PMID: 36222689 PMCID: PMC9769993 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03143-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats are reservoirs of diverse coronaviruses (CoVs), including progenitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2. In the Americas, there is a contrast between alphacoronaviruses (alphaCoVs) and betaCoVs: while cospeciation prevails in the latter, alphaCoV evolution is dominated by deep and recent host switches. AlphaCoV lineages are maintained by two different bat family groups, Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae plus Molossidae. In this study, we used a Bayesian framework to analyze the process of diversification of the lineages maintained by Molossidae and Vespertilionidae, adding novel CoV sequences from Argentina. We provide evidence that the observed CoV diversity in these two bat families is shaped by their geographic distribution and that CoVs exhibit clustering at the level of bat genera. We discuss the causes of the cocirculation of two independent clades in Molossus and Tadarida as well as the role of Myotis as the ancestral host and a major evolutionary reservoir of alphaCoVs across the continent. Although more CoV sampling efforts are needed, these findings contribute to a better knowledge of the diversity of alphaCoVs and the links between bat host species. IMPORTANCE Bats harbor the largest diversity of coronaviruses among mammals. In the Americas, seven alphacoronavirus lineages circulate among bats. Three of these lineages are shared by members of two bat families: Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. Uncovering the relationships between these coronaviruses can help us to understand patterns of cross-species transmission and, ultimately, which hosts are more likely to be involved in spillover events. We found that two different lineages cocirculate among the bat genera Molossus and Tadarida, which share roosts and have common viral variants. The bat genus Myotis functions as a reservoir of coronavirus diversity and, as such, is a key host. Although there were some spillovers recorded, there is a strong host association, showing that once a successful host jump takes place, it is transmitted onward to members of the same bat genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Caraballo
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Ciudad Universitaria-Pabellón II, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María S. Sabio
- Servicio de Neurovirosis, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS), Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria C. Colombo
- Servicio de Neurovirosis, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS), Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - María Guadalupe Piccirilli
- Servicio de Neurovirosis, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS), Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lorena Vico
- Departamento de Zoonosis Urbanas, Avellaneda, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Stella Maris Hirmas Riade
- Servicio de Neurovirosis, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS), Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Josefina Campos
- Unidad de Genómica y Bioinformática, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS), Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Martínez
- Departamento de Zoonosis Urbanas, Avellaneda, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Beltrán
- Instituto de Zoonosis Dr. Luis Pasteur, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elsa Baumeister
- Servicio de Virosis Respiratorias, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS), Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel M. Cisterna
- Servicio de Neurovirosis, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (ANLIS), Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Percequillo AR, Barbosa MFC, Bockmann FA, Bogoni JA, Esguícero ALH, Lamas C, Moraes GJD, Pinto-da-Rocha R, Silveira LF. Natural history museums and zoological collections of São Paulo State. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2022-1426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Scientific collections constitute a valuable source for contributions to scientific research and the training of human resources in systematics, but also other areas of biological knowledge. In this contribution, we intend to discuss these advancements in collections and the role played by FAPESP in sponsoring them, as well as a general overview of the zoological collections in São Paulo state. We also aim to stress the importance of zoological collections and the need for continuous logistic and financial support from institutions and research agencies to maintain and develop these unique repositories of biodiversity. From 1980 to the present, FAPESP supported 118 research projects focused on several areas of zoology that are directly or indirectly associated with collections. There is a constant growth in the number of projects, and the financial support provided by FAPESP through the Biota Program was paramount for the advancement of our knowledge of biodiversity in Brazil. Parallel to the scientific advances, but not less important, this support allowed curators to increase the number of specimens, and to organize, maintain and digitize them in these valuable and irreplaceable collections. Regarding the lack of new taxonomists, it is essential that FAPESP and universities in São Paulo encourage the formation of new academics in zoological groups where specialists are rare. Considering the investment provided by FAPESP, it is quite important that the institutions that benefited from these resources took greater responsibility to safeguard these collections, and they should consider including resources on their budgets to obtain safety certificates, ensuring their permanence for many generations to come. Zoological collections are a heritage of humanity and are essential not only for the improvement of our knowledge of biodiversity but also with direct applications, among other services provided by these biological resources. It is important that research and teaching institutions in São Paulo that house specimens under their care start to value more this important patrimony and this heritage, as these collections represent the most valuable testimony of our impressive biodiversity, records of our past, and windows to our future, essential to our academic, scientific, cultural and social sovereignty.
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