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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/microbes/wns.shtml Species Profile- White-Nose Syndrome], National Invasive Species Information Center, [[United States National Agricultural Library]]. Lists general information and resources for White-Nose Syndrome.
* [http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html White-nose Syndrome] from the [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] Northeast Region ([http://www.fws.gov/northeast/wnspics.html public domain photos] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsnortheast/sets/72157622507962203/ Flickr page])
* [http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html White-nose Syndrome] from the [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] Northeast Region ([http://www.fws.gov/northeast/wnspics.html public domain photos] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsnortheast/sets/72157622507962203/ Flickr page])
* [http://www.fort.usgs.gov/WNS/ White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America] from the [[U.S. Geological Survey]] Fort Collins Science Center
* [http://www.fort.usgs.gov/WNS/ White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America] from the [[U.S. Geological Survey]] Fort Collins Science Center

Revision as of 19:16, 16 February 2011

A little brown bat with white nose syndrome.

White nose syndrome (WNS) is a poorly understood malady associated with the deaths of more than a million bats.[1] The condition, named for a distinctive fungal growth around the muzzles and on the wings of many affected animals, was first identified in a cave in Schoharie County, New York, USA, 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,[6] New Jersey, Pennsylvania,[7] West Virginia [4] and in March 2010 in Ontario, Canada, and northern Tennessee.[8][9] As of spring 2010, the condition had been found in over 115 caves and mines ranging throughout the Northeastern US as far south as Tennessee and as far west as Oklahoma and into Quebec and Ontario Provinces in Canada [10].

The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has called for a moratorium on caving activities in the affected areas,[11] and strongly recommends that any clothing or equipment used in such areas be decontaminated after each use.

The National Speleological Society (NSS) maintains an up-to-date page[12] to keep cavers apprised of current events and advisories.

Possible causes

A 2008 study determined that the fungus found on the muzzles, wings, ears and all exposed skin tissues of infected bats is a member of the genus Geomyces.[13][14] The fungus Geomyces destructans is a cold-loving fungus that grows at temperatures below 20 °C (68 °F) and grows on the bats when they are hibernating in caves and mines during winter [14]. The fungus appears to disrupt the normal patterns of hibernation, causing bats to arouse too frequently from torpor and starve to death. The symptoms associated with WNS include loss of body fat, unusual winter behavior (including flying), and death.

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.[15] In some cases, access to caves is being closed entirely.[16] 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.[17] It is more likely the spores of the fungus are spread by bats rather than humans.

On 12 March 2009, a greater mouse-eared bat found in a cave near Périgueux showed the telltale white nose. It was captured, and a sample of the fungus was taken. Both morphological and genetic tests showed that the bat in France was infected with G. destructans, the same fungus infecting bats in North America. Because this individual bat was not underweight, in contrast to infected bats in the U.S. and Canada, it is thought that the fungus is native to Europe and old world bats have a resistance to it. [18] Another species of the genus is G. pannorum, a pathogen responsible for skin infections in humans.[19]

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."[20] The mortality rate in some caves has exceeded 90 percent.[21][22] A once common species, little brown myotis, has suffered a major population collapse and may be at risk of rapid extinction in the northeastern US within 20 years from mortality associated with WNS [23]. There are currently 9 hibernating bat species confirmed with infection of Geomyces destructans and at least 5 of those species have suffered major mortality. Some of those species are already listed as endangered on the US endangered species list, including the Indiana bat, whose primary hibernaculum in New York has been affected.[24] 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.[21]

Bat colonies have been decimated throughout the northeastern US and has spread into mid-atlantic states and northward into Canada. 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 (1.1 million 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.[25]

Comparisons have been raised to colony collapse disorder, another poorly-understood phenomenon resulting in the abrupt disappearance of Western honey bee colonies,[3][26] and with chytridiomycosis, a fungal skin disease linked with worldwide declines in amphibian populations.[14][27]

Prevention research and outlook

Biologists are investigating the geographic extent of the outbreaks and collecting samples of affected bats.[28] 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.[28]

The data will be critical in tracking the extent and spread of WNS and in coordinating research efforts.[28] 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.[28] It has also advised closing caves to explorers in 20 states, from the Midwest to New England. This directive 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."[25]

Recent research has found that the fungus may respond to typical human anti-fungal treatments. More studies are being undertaken to determine how best to use this knowledge.[29]

References

  1. ^ "Fish and Wildlife Service Awards $800,000 in Grants to Explore Cause, Control of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2009-10-26. Retrieved 2009-10-30.
  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. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  4. ^ a b "White Nose Syndrome; Could cave dwelling bat species become extinct in our lifetime?". Bat Conservation and Management, Inc. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  5. ^ "Bat affliction found in Vermont and Massachusetts caves". Newsday.com. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  6. ^ http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090223/NEWS02/302239991
  7. ^ Joe Kosack (2009). "WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME SURFACES IN PENNSYLVANIA". Retrieved 2009-02-05. [dead link]
  8. ^ Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (2010). "White Nose Syndrome Detected In Ontario Bats". Retrieved 2010-03-19.
  9. ^ Chris Smith. "Bat in Clarksville's Dunbar Cave with deadly fungus may be migrant". The Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved 24 March 2010. [dead link]
  10. ^ Frick et al. 2010. an Emerging disease causes regional population collapse of a common North American bat species. Science 329: 679-682
  11. ^ http://www.caves.org/WNS/USFWS-WNS_cave_advisory_news_rls_2009-03-26_final-1.pdf
  12. ^ http://www.caves.org/WNS/WNS%20Info.htm
  13. ^ National Geographic: "Deadly Bat Disease Linked to Cold-Loving Fungus". Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  14. ^ a b c Blehert DS, Hicks AC, Behr M; et al. (2008). "Bat White-Nose Syndrome: An Emerging Fungal Pathogen?". Science. 323 (5911): 227. doi:10.1126/science.1163874. PMID 18974316. Retrieved 2008-11-02. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Something is killing our bats: The white-nose syndrome mystery". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  16. ^ Munger, Edward, Jr. (2008-02-14). "Group asking cavers to keep out". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2008-02-14.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Waller, John (2008-02-20). "Disease in Dorset bat cave". Manchester Journal. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  18. ^ Puechmaille, Sébastien J. (2010). "White-nose syndrome fungus (Geomyces destructans) in bat, France" (PDF). Emerging Infectious Diseases. 16 (2). Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. doi:10.3201/eid1602.091391. ISSN 1080-6059. Retrieved 2 January 2010. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  19. ^ Kolbert, Elizabeth, "Batless", The New Yorker; March 29, 2010, pp 42-43.
  20. ^ Shapley, Dan (2008-02-05). ""The Gravest Threat to Bats Ever Seen"". The Daily Green. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  21. ^ a b Daley, Beth (2008-02-07). "Die-off of bats could hurt area crops". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  22. ^ Kelley, Tina (2008-03-25). "Bats Perish, and No One Knows Why". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  23. ^ Frick et al. 2010. An emerging disease causes regional population collapse of a common North American bat species. Science 329: 679-682.
  24. ^ "Unexplained "White Nose" Disease Killing Northeast Bats". Environment News Service. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  25. ^ a b "Cute but contagious" The Economist, May 21, 2009
  26. ^ Mann, Bryan (2008-02-19). "Northeast Bat Die-Off Mirrors Honeybee Collapse" (audio). All Things Considered. National Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  27. ^ "Newly Identified Fungus Implicated In White-nose Syndrome". Science Daily. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  28. ^ 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)
  29. ^ Hirji, Zahra. (2010). Athlete's Foot Drug Could Cure Rampant Bat Disease. Available: http://news.discovery.com/animals/athletes-foot-drug-could-cure-rampant-bat-disease.html. Last accessed 14th Sept 2010..
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