Jumping species-a mechanism for coronavirus persistence and survival

- Unique aspects of bat physiology permit and shape the pools of viruses that they harbor.
- Coronavirus emergence must balance overcoming barriers with maintaining essential viral functions.
- Spike binding and cleavage is necessary for infection of new species.
- Coronaviruses acquire tools to disrupt host immunity and maintain viral processes.

Zoonotic transmission of novel viruses represents a significant threat to global public health and is fueled by globalization, the loss of natural habitats, and exposure to new hosts. For coronaviruses (CoVs), broad diversity exists within bat populations and uniquely positions them to seed future emergence events. In this review, we explore the host and viral dynamics that shape these CoV populations for survival, amplification, and possible emergence in novel hosts.