Genetic diversity of Talpa europaea and Nova hantavirus (NVAV) in France

Genetic diversity of talpa europaea and nova hantavirus (NVAV) in France Nova hantavirus (NVAV) was first identified in a captured European mole (Talpa europaea) in Hungary. Analysis of lung tissues from 94 moles captured in France revealed NVAV in 50% of the animals. Based on the genetic diversity of the cytochrome b mtDNA, moles collected in Poitiers and Bordeaux were more closely related to the Iberian mole (T. occidentalis), a species previously assumed to be restricted to the Iberian Peninsula. Several hypotheses are discussed to explain these observations : 1) the presence of hitherto unnoticed T. occidentalis in southwestern France ; 2) the existence of an ancient mitochondrial introgression phenomenon between the two Talpa species, producing a particular phenotype in some hybrids ; 3) the existence of a hybrid zone between the two species ; and 4) the existence of a new Talpa species. NVAV was not detected in the southwestern moles, which raises the question of the possible presence of a particular Hantavirus species in this population and/ or in the Iberian moles.