Global distribution and genetic diversity of Bartonella in bat flies (Hippoboscoidea, Streblidae, Nycteribiidae)

► New Bartonella genotypes were detected in a global sampling of bat flies. ► Analyses point to a long evolutionary association of bartonellae with bat flies. ► Unique clades unite Bartonella genotypes from bat flies and bats. ► Some bat fly bartonellae are vertically transmitted to fly offspring.