Semester of Graduation

Winter 2025

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Master’s Degree in Integrative Biology

Department

Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology

Committee Chair/First Advisor

Dr. Thomas McElroy

Second Advisor

Dr. Christopher Cornelison

Third Advisor

Dr. Todd Pierson

Abstract

Tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) have experienced substantial population losses from white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) which infects hibernating bats. Determining population genetic structure helps assess genetic diversity and the impacts of wildlife threats to populations. Pre-WNS data shows weak-to-negligible structure and panmictic P. subflavus populations at core portions of their range. However, current genetic data from their southeastern U.S. range is lacking. I sought to determine whether recent genetic data help resolve genetic structure among southeastern populations and assess genetic differences at two stages of impact: post-WNS and possible WNS-recovery. Microsatellites and SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were used to characterize genetic patterns and structure among hibernacula. I hypothesized that populations would show weak structure and those at the range edge would have marked genetic differentiation from other sites, potentially resulting from greater geographic distance, limited gene flow, and environmental factors. Further, I hypothesized that structure would differ between stages of WNS impact. Both markers indicated low overall genetic differentiation. Estimates revealed a panmictic population (SNPs), and two genetic populations (microsatellites) among sites. A possible bottleneck event reflected in microsatellites aligns with prior WNS-related declines. At the SNP level, most sites were genetically distinct from a Florida cave hibernaculum. WNS potentially impacted population genetic structure per the microsatellite data. Hibernacula type, environmental conditions, and behavior may influence genetic differentiation. These results provide a foundation for southeastern U.S. P. subflavus population genetics and may be useful to informing conservation and management decisions.

Comments

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grant: “Investigating winter activity and population connectivity of Perimyotis subflavus in traditional and nontraditional hibernacula in the Southeastern U.S. as it relates to susceptibility to WNS.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grant: “Resolving Perimyotis subflavus populations and WNS spread on the southern leading edge of white-nose syndrome”

EEOB Departmental Graduate Research Funding Grant

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