White nose syndrome

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White nose syndrome (WNS) is a poorly understood malady associated with the deaths of hundreds of thousands of bats.[1] The condition, named for a distinctive ring of fungal growth around the muzzles, and on the wings of many affected animals, was first identified in several caves near Albany, New York in February 2006,[2] and started showing up in the news after January 2007.[3] It spread to other New York caves and into Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut[4] in 2008.[5] In early 2009 it was confirmed in New Hampshire [1], New Jersey, Pennsylvania,[6] and West Virginia.[4] The condition has been found in over 25 caves and mines in the northeastern U.S.[1]

The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has called for a moratorium on caving activities in the affected areas http://www.caves.org/WNS/USFWS-WNS_cave_advisory_news_rls_2009-03-26_final-1.pdf, and strongly recommends that any clothing or equipment used in such areas be decontaminated after each use.

The National Speleological Society maintains an up-to-date page to keep cavers apprised of current events and advisories. http://www.caves.org/WNS/WNS%20Info.htm

Contents

[edit] Possible causes

A 2008 study determined that the fungus found on the muzzles, wings, and ears of infected bats is a member of the Geomyces genus.[7][8] It is not known if the fungus is a causative agent in the bat deaths. The fungal growth may be an opportunistic infection, rather than the actual cause of the condition. A loss of winter fat stores,[9] pneumonia,[10] and the disruption of hibernation and feeding cycles caused by warm and variable winter weather[11] have all been suggested as causes or contributing factors.

Extensive spraying of pesticides to combat West Nile Virus or other environmental toxins could be a cause by directly affecting the bats or reducing insect populations, their primary source of food.[4]

One researcher suspects a cause of the syndrome may be bat flies and this possibility is being investigated. Bat flies are small parasites that live in a bat's hair and feed on its blood. They may be involved in transmission of a pathogen.[12]

Because no one yet knows how the condition spreads, cave management and preservation organizations have been requesting that cavers limit their activities and disinfect clothing and equipment that has been used in possibly infected caves.[13] In some cases, access to caves is being closed entirely.[11] Despite these efforts, the spread of the disease to Aeolus Cave, New England's largest hibernaculum, which has had limited human access since 2004, "complicates" the theory that human activity is directly contributing to the condition.[14] As of March 2008, the disease had spread to Vermont, western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. In February 2009, it had spread to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and eastern West Virginia. The migratory nature of bats threatens to spread the malady throughout the northeastern United States.[15]

[edit] Impact

Alan Hicks with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has described the impact as "unprecedented" and "the gravest threat to bats ... ever seen."[16] The mortality rate in some caves has exceeded 90 percent.[17][18] At greatest risk is the endangered Indiana bat, whose primary hibernaculum in New York has been affected.[19] Deaths of eastern pipistrelles, northern long-eared myotis and little brown bats have also been attributed to the condition.[20] The long-term impact of the reduction in bat populations may be an increase in insects, possibly even leading to crop damage or other economic impact in New England.[17]

As of May 2009, bat colonies have been decimated in at least seven states, with an estimated half a million bats having died from the disease. This deprives the country, especially during the spring and summer, of a valuable natural pesticide as bats consume huge quantities of insects: as much as their own body weight each night. The Forest Service estimates that the die-off from white-nose syndrome means that at least 2.4 million pounds of bugs (1.1million kg) will go uneaten and become a financial burden to farmers. Crop production may require more insecticide, raising environmental worries and pushing up grocery prices. Furthermore, the disease could threaten an already endangered species, such as Indiana bats and the big-eared bat, the official state bat of Virginia.[21]

Comparisons have been raised to colony collapse disorder, another poorly-understood phenomenon resulting in the abrupt disappearance of Western honey bee colonies.[3][22]

[edit] Prevention research and outlook

Biologists are investigating the geographic extent of the outbreaks and collecting samples of affected bats.[23] A geographic database is being developed to track the location of sites where WNS has been found, collecting information at each site in regards to the number of bats affected.[23]

The data will be critical in tracking the extent and spread of WNS and in coordinating research efforts.[23] The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also partnering with the Northeastern Cave Conservancy to track movements of cavers that have visited affected sites in New York.[23] It has also advised closing caves to explorers in 20 states, from the Midwest to New England. This directive, enforced with fines and jail, will soon be extended to 13 southern states. As one Virginia scientist stated, "If it gets into caves more to our south, in places like Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama, we’re going to be talking deaths in the millions."[21]

[edit] In Popular Culture

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Hicks, Al (2008-05-11). "Dying Bats In The Northeast U.S. Remain A Mystery". Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508170916.htm. 
  2. ^ David S. Blehert et al. Bat White-Nose Syndrome: An Emerging Fungal Pathogen?. Science 9 January 2009: Vol. 323. no. 5911, p. 227 DOI: 10.1126/science.1163874
  3. ^ a b Hill, Michael (2008-01-30). "Bat Deaths in NY, Vt. Baffle Experts". Associated Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jglXh1LrwpTZZW0QjCD_H91BgVYwD8UGF9101. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  4. ^ a b c "White Nose Syndrome; Could cave dwelling bat species become extinct in our lifetime?". Bat Conservation and Management, Inc.. http://www.batmanagement.com/wns/wns.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-05. 
  5. ^ "Bat affliction found in Vermont and Massachusetts caves". Newsday.com. 2008-02-15. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--batdie-off0215feb15,0,232424.story. 
  6. ^ Joe Kosack (2009). "WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME SURFACES IN PENNSYLVANIA". http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?Q=175717&A=11. Retrieved on 2009-02-05. 
  7. ^ National Geographic: "Deadly Bat Disease Linked to Cold-Loving Fungus". http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/10/081031-bat-fungus.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-02. 
  8. ^ Blehert DS, Hicks AC, Behr M, et al. (October 2008). "Bat White-Nose Syndrome: An Emerging Fungal Pathogen?". Science (New York, N.Y.). doi:10.1126/science.1163874. PMID 18974316. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1163874. Retrieved on 2008-11-02. 
  9. ^ "Unidentified Ailment Threatens Bat Populations" (pdf). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008-02-14. http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/Unidentified%20Ailment%20Threatens%20Bat%20Populations.pdf. 
  10. ^ Barid, Joel Banner (2008-02-02). "Bat deaths defy diagnosis". Burlington Free Press. http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080202/NEWS01/802020307/1009. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  11. ^ a b Munger, Edward, Jr. (2008-02-14). "Group asking cavers to keep out". Daily Gazette. http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/feb/14/0214_caves/. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  12. ^ Dittmar, Katherinna (2008-06-25). "To Find Out What's Eating Bats, Biologist Takes To Barn Rooftops". Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080624152257.htm. 
  13. ^ "Something is killing our bats: The white-nose syndrome mystery". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  14. ^ Waller, John (2008-02-20). "Disease in Dorset bat cave". Manchester Journal. http://www.manchesterjournal.com/localnews/ci_8313858. Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  15. ^ "Mysterious illness killing bats in Northeast prompts precautions as wildlife researchers search for answers". New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. 2008-02-04. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2008/08_0008.htm. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  16. ^ Shapley, Dan (2008-02-05). ""The Gravest Threat to Bats Ever Seen"". The Daily Green. http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/white-nose-syndrome-bats-47020509. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  17. ^ a b Daley, Beth (2008-02-07). "Die-off of bats could hurt area crops". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/07/die_off_of_bats_could_hurt_area_crops/. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  18. ^ Kelley, Tina (2008-03-25). "Bats Perish, and No One Knows Why". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/science/25bats.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin/. Retrieved on 2008-03-25. 
  19. ^ "Unexplained "White Nose" Disease Killing Northeast Bats". Environment News Service. 2008-01-31. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2008/2008-01-31-094.asp. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  20. ^ Zangla, Ariel (2008-02-03). "Bats in Ulster County affected by large die-off". Daily Freeman. http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19258486&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  21. ^ a b "Cute but contagious" The Economist, May 21, 2009
  22. ^ Mann, Bryan (2008-02-19). "Northeast Bat Die-Off Mirrors Honeybee Collapse" (audio). All Things Considered (National Public Radio). http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19174588&ft=1&f=1001. Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  23. ^ a b c d U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Northeast Region, "White-Nose Syndrome in bats: Something is killing our bats." http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html (accessed April 14, 2009)

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_nose_syndrome"
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