Investigating winter activity of Perimyotis subflavus in subterranean and transportation-based hibernacula as it relates to susceptibility to white-nose syndrome
Disciplines
Integrative Biology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) is a fungal pathogen that has been circulating in North American bats since its initial discovery in 2006. Pd is the causative agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease leading to as much as a 90% decrease in some eastern United States bat populations. To prevent continued declines in Perimyotis subflavus populations, researchers must evaluate potential risk factors such as hibernacula selection, temperature and humidity to understand differential susceptibility to WNS. P. subflavus have been documented roosting in traditional hibernacula such as caves and mines, in addition to transportation structures such as culverts and bridges. These transportation structures maintain temperatures consistent with Pd growth requirements yet have not been documented with severe declines associated with WNS, as is common in caves and mines. This study evaluates differences in P. subflavus in both traditional and nontraditional hibernacula across the southeastern United States as they pertain to the bats’ susceptibility to WNS. This was achieved via acoustic and temperature/humidity monitoring, along with testing for the presence of Pd in the environment and on bats using qPCR. Over two winter seasons, we have collected more than 2,000 Pd surveillance swabs across four states, with sites that are both Pd-positive and -naïve. The study is ongoing, yet we hypothesize there will be a difference in winter activity across roost types, therefore influencing WNS susceptibility. This research will assist conservation efforts and white-nose syndrome management throughout North America.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Christopher Cornelison
Additional Faculty
Thomas McElroy, EEOB, tmcelro2@kennesaw.edu
Investigating winter activity of Perimyotis subflavus in subterranean and transportation-based hibernacula as it relates to susceptibility to white-nose syndrome
Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) is a fungal pathogen that has been circulating in North American bats since its initial discovery in 2006. Pd is the causative agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease leading to as much as a 90% decrease in some eastern United States bat populations. To prevent continued declines in Perimyotis subflavus populations, researchers must evaluate potential risk factors such as hibernacula selection, temperature and humidity to understand differential susceptibility to WNS. P. subflavus have been documented roosting in traditional hibernacula such as caves and mines, in addition to transportation structures such as culverts and bridges. These transportation structures maintain temperatures consistent with Pd growth requirements yet have not been documented with severe declines associated with WNS, as is common in caves and mines. This study evaluates differences in P. subflavus in both traditional and nontraditional hibernacula across the southeastern United States as they pertain to the bats’ susceptibility to WNS. This was achieved via acoustic and temperature/humidity monitoring, along with testing for the presence of Pd in the environment and on bats using qPCR. Over two winter seasons, we have collected more than 2,000 Pd surveillance swabs across four states, with sites that are both Pd-positive and -naïve. The study is ongoing, yet we hypothesize there will be a difference in winter activity across roost types, therefore influencing WNS susceptibility. This research will assist conservation efforts and white-nose syndrome management throughout North America.