Morgan Kurz, Seth McCormick , and Andrew Barrass, The Center of Excellence for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University

Hibernating bats in the northeastern United States are Hibernating bats in the northeastern United States are dying in record Numbers. This wildlife health crisis, dying in record Numbers. This wildlife health crisis, WHITE-NOSE SYNDROMEWHITE-NOSE SYNDROME, is named for the white fungus , is named for the white fungus evident on the muzzles and wings of affected bats. evident on the muzzles and wings of affected bats.

WNSWNS was first documented in eastern New York in the was first documented in eastern New York in the winter of 2006-07. winter of 2006-07. WNSWNS has rapidly spread to multiple has rapidly spread to multiple sites throughout the northeast and now moving sites throughout the northeast and now moving Southeast.Southeast.

WNSWNS is a newly identified fungus ( is a newly identified fungus (GeomycesGeomyces destructans, destructans, Gargas Gargas et al, et al, 2009) that thrives in cold and 2009) that thrives in cold and humid conditions characteristic of the caves and mines, humid conditions characteristic of the caves and mines, often used by bats for roosting and hibernation. often used by bats for roosting and hibernation.

The fungus could be responsible for the bat deaths, or it The fungus could be responsible for the bat deaths, or it could be secondary to the cause. Bats affected with could be secondary to the cause. Bats affected with WNSWNS do not always have obvious fungal growth, but they may do not always have obvious fungal growth, but they may display abnormal behavior within and outside of their display abnormal behavior within and outside of their hibernacula (caves and mines where bats hibernate hibernacula (caves and mines where bats hibernate during the winter).during the winter).

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/graphics/WNS_Mapping_05-08-09_DS.jpg

During the first During the first 2 years, WNS 2 years, WNS has killed over has killed over 400,000 bats.400,000 bats.

Mortality rates Mortality rates at affected at affected sites are 95-sites are 95-100%.100%.

Many of these Many of these bats are bats are federally listed federally listed endangered endangered species.species.

We along with many other researchers believe that WNS is transmitted primarily from bat to bat.

There is a strong possibility that it may also be transmitted by humans inadvertently carrying the causative agent from cave to cave on their clothing and gear.

WNS may be associated with someWNS may be associated with some

or all of the following unusual bator all of the following unusual bat

behavior: behavior: White fungus, especially on the bat’sWhite fungus, especially on the bat’s

nose, but also on the wings, ears ornose, but also on the wings, ears or

tailtail

Bats flying outside during the day inBats flying outside during the day in

temperatures at or below freezing;temperatures at or below freezing;

bats clustered near the entrance ofbats clustered near the entrance of

hibernaculahibernacula

Dead or dying bats on the groundDead or dying bats on the ground

or on buildings, trees or other or on buildings, trees or other structures.structures.

Hibernating bats may have other Hibernating bats may have other white fungus not associated with white fungus not associated with WNS. If a bat with fungus is not in an WNS. If a bat with fungus is not in an affected area and has no other signs affected area and has no other signs of WNS, it may not have WNS.of WNS, it may not have WNS.

The overall WNS investigation The overall WNS investigation hashas

three primary focus areas: three primary focus areas: Research at Dunbar CaveResearch at Dunbar Cave Monitoring/Management Monitoring/Management Outreach/ Data base with TWRA/TDECOutreach/ Data base with TWRA/TDEC

For example, we are conductingFor example, we are conducting

winter surveys to document and trackwinter surveys to document and track

affected sites, working with the cavingaffected sites, working with the caving

community and local caves with summercommunity and local caves with summer

acoustic monitoring of areas such as LBLacoustic monitoring of areas such as LBL

and the tree dwelling bats present there and the tree dwelling bats present there as as

recommended by TWRA.recommended by TWRA.

We also aim to target potential sites We also aim to target potential sites for for

Acoustic Transects Acoustic Transects - surveys and - surveys and protective measures, and securing protective measures, and securing funding to identify and fund research funding to identify and fund research on the spread and management of on the spread and management of WNS.WNS.