White-Nose Syndrome: A Fungal Disease of North American Hibernating Bats

Abstract

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emerging infectious disease affecting several species of hibernating bats in North America and threatening at least one species with regional extinction. The syndrome is associated with a cutaneous fungal infection caused by the newly described fungus, Geomyces destructans (Gd) , reduced fat reserves, atypical behavior, severe wing damage, and high mortality. Six North American bat species are currently affected by WNS, but Gd has been reported from three other hibernating species. Given the rapid geographic spread of Gd , several other species are at risk of infection. G. destructans has also been isolated from nine European bat species. However, no other symptoms of WNS or associated mass mortality of bats associated with this fungus has been observed in Europe. The postulated pathogenic role of Gd is not fully understood, although it appears to disrupt the physiology and alter the behavior of hibernating bats. Given the unique life-history traits of hibernating bats, decimated populations will recover very slowly, if at all, unless the syndrome can be effectively managed. Without implementation of effective management practices ( e.g. , mitigation and recovery), lasting ecological and economic impacts at both regional and national scales can be expected.