Causes of White-Nose Syndrome

As previously stated White-Nose Syndrome is caused by a cold loving white fungus which is often found in caves and other nesting spots for bat populations. According to very recent scientific research, the so called cold loving white fungus that causes WNS is an invasive strand of a fungus called Geomyces destructans. Geomyces destructans is recognized as being very psychrophilic or only capable of surviving in very cold temperatures. Its optimal growth is said to range from four degrees Celsius to about fifteen degrees Celsius which, unfortunately for native bat species is right about the temperature of their hibernaculum (place of hibernation). Scientists have been able to find caves flourishing with Geomyces destructans in Europe which also house hibernating bats. Intriguingly though, the bats living with the fungus in Europe are not showing any negative effects of WNS or for that matter any symptoms of WNS at all. Therefore, the question arises: Why are European bats able to coexist with Geomyces destructans whereas North American bat populations are being decimated by it. Unfortunately, a validated conclusion has yet to be drawn. However, scientific researchers are working to find an answer! The most commonly accepted hypothesis thus far is that European bats have been exposed to Geomyces destructans for a long period of time and have been able to adapt and develop a resistance to it. Therefore, scientists are able to conclude that if the strain of Geomyces destructans found in Europe is in fact the same as the strain of the fungus found in North America the fungus must have been recently introduced to North American bats, explaining why European bats are able to coexist with it. A study published on April 9, 2012 described a team of scientists’, led by Lisa Warnecke, attempts at finding an answer to why North American bat populations are being eradicated by WNS while European bats are able to peacefully coexist with the fungus that causes it. The scientists gathered samples of Geomyces destructans from European and North American caves and exposed brown bats to them. The bats contracted WNS despite the place of origin of the fungus, the research team concluded that according to their research Geomyces destructans was very recently brought to North America from Europe. Although it may seem like a minor finding, this study marks a huge leap forward in the quest for finding a cure for WNS!

One of many victims of White-Nose Syndrome.

Citations:

Gargas, A.; Trest, M.T.; Christensen, M.; Volk, T.J.; Blehert, D.S. "Geomyces Destructans Sp. Nov. Associated with Bat White-nose Syndrome." N.p., 1 Apr. 2009. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://http://vdi.sagepub.com/content/21/4/411.full.pdf+html>.

Meteyer, Carol U. "Wing Pathology of White-nose Syndrome in Bats Suggests Life-threatening Disruption of Physiology." BMC Biology. United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/8/135/>.

What Is: White-Nose Syndrome?

White-nose syndrome (named for the white fungus which surrounds the muzzle of most infected bats) is a very under recognized epidemic effecting millions of bats in North America. White-nose syndrome (WNS) was first discovered in a cave in Schoharie County, New York, during the winter of 2006. During that winter alone is was estimated to have eradicated almost half of the entire hibernating bat population, and over 5.7 million bats have since fallen victim to the disease. The disease stems from "cold loving" white fungus found in caves of the affected regions, the fungus creates a white covering around the face of effected bats and causes them to deplete their fat reserves months before their normal springtime emergence from hibernation, in turn the bats often prematurely awaken from hibernation and either freeze or starve to death. In many caves infected with WNS bat mortality rate ranges from 90-100%, almost completely wiping out entire populations. Needless to say White-nose syndrome is a horrible disease which is very rapidly leading to the deaths of various bat species and rapidly spreading across the continent. Unfortunately, despite the attempts of many researchers there is no known cure or even treatment for WNS.

A small brown bat infected with white-nose syndrome.

Citations: 
Tuttle, Merlin D. "White-nose Syndrome." White-nose Syndrome. N.p., 1 Oct. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.batcon.org/index.php/what-we-do/white-nose-syndrome.html>.

 Department of Environmental Conservation. "White-nose Syndrome." - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/45088.html>.