White-Nose Syndrome
Science Center Objects
Since the winter of 2006-07, millions of North American bats have died from white-nose syndrome (WNS). As of June 2019, bats with WNS have been confirmed in 33 states and seven Canadian provinces.
White-nose syndrome gets its name from the white fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which infects the skin on the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats and was discovered by USGS scientists.
USGS scientists have developed novel tools and techniques for national WNS detection, surveillance (UV light) and research efforts. Our scientists are monitoring bat populations (NABat) and hibernating bat behavior in addition to assessing the impact of WNS on bat populations. USGS is now focusing on disease management strategies to reverse bat declines from WNS (oral vaccine, modification of bat hibernation sites, investigations of the bat skin microbiome).
CURRENT RESEARCH
National Wildlife Health Center
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center assists State and Federal wildlife agencies nationwide with early detection of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), and addresses specific research priorities identified by partners in conjunction with the White-Nose Syndrome National Plan.
Collaboration between USGS disease specialists and bat ecologists is helping bridge gaps in understanding that allow us to rapidly make progress in better addressing this unprecedented disease.
- Ecological Investigations of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats
- External Microbiota of Bats as Potential Bio-control Against Wildlife Diseases
- White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America
- Surveillance for the Presence of White-Nose Syndrome in the Bat Community at El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico
- Non-invasive Surveillance of Bat Hibernacula to Investigate Potential Behavioral Causes of Mortality Associated with White Nose Syndrome
- WNS Data Management Coordination
- North American Bat Data Integration
- North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
- Bat Species of Concern: An Ecological Synthesis for Resource Managers
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
From mummified carcasses and skeletons, it is known that Hawaiian hoary bats enter and use caves in Hawai‘i although this is unusual in populations on continental North America. Investigations included the use of acoustic monitoring and visual surveys.
Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center
To adequately model Indiana bat populations a panel of species experts and endangered species biologists were gathered to identify key demographic characteristics determining the population dynamics of this species. The development of this model occurred in four steps or stages.
- Population Demographic Models for the Conservation of Endangered Indiana Bats at Risk to White-Nose Syndrome
- Infection by White-nose Syndrome is likely to Extirpate the Endangered Indiana Bat over major portions of its current range
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
The primary goal of this bat research program is to develop projects that increase our understanding of basic ecology and natural history of western bat species, while simultaneously providing needed data to inform conservation measures and management decisions in the West.
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