White-nose Syndrome Research Articles

Rapidly declining body size in an insectivorous bat is associated with increased precipitation and decreased survival.

Reduced food availability is implicated in declines in avian aerial insectivores, but the effect of nutritional stress on mammalian aerial insectivores is unclear. Unlike birds, insectivorous bats provision their young through lactation, which might protect nursing juveniles when prey availability is low but could increase the energetic burden on lactating females. We analyzed a 15-year capture-mark-recapture data set from 5312 individual little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) captured at 11 maternity colonies in northwestern Canada, to test the hypothesis that nutritional stress is impacting these mammalian aerial insectivores. We used long-bone (forearm [FA]) length as a proxy for relative access to nutrition during development, and body mass as a proxy for access to nutrition prior to capture. Average FA length and body mass both decreased significantly over the study period in adult females and juveniles, suggesting decreased access to nutrition. Effect sizes were very small, similar to those reported for declining body size in avian aerial insectivores. Declines in juvenile body mass were only observed in individuals captured in late summer when they were foraging independently, supporting our hypothesis that lactation provides some protection to nursing young during periods of nutritional stress. Potential drivers of the decline in bat size include one or both of (1) declining insect (prey) abundance, and (2) declining prey availability. Echolocating insectivorous bats cannot forage effectively during rainfall, which is increasing in our study area. The body mass of captured adult females and juveniles in our study was lower, on average, after periods of high rainfall, and higher after warmer-than-average periods. Finally, survival models revealed a positive association between FA length and survival, suggesting a fitness consequence to declines in body size. Our study area has not yet been impacted by bat white-nose syndrome (WNS), but research elsewhere has suggested that fatter bats are more likely to survive infection. We found evidence for WNS-independent shifts in the body size of little brown myotis, which can inform studies investigating population responses to WNS. More broadly, the cumulative effects of multiple stressors (e.g., disease, nutritional stress, climate change, and other pressures) on mammalian aerial insectivores require urgent attention.

Microbial isolates with Anti-Pseudogymnoascus destructans activities from Western Canadian bat wings

Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) is the causative agent of white-nose syndrome, which has resulted in the death of millions of bats in North America (NA) since 2006. Based on mortalities in eastern NA, the westward spread of infections likely poses a significant threat to western NA bats. To help prevent/reduce Pd infections in bats in western NA, we isolated bacteria from the wings of wild bats and screened for inhibitory activity against Pd. In total, we obtained 1,362 bacterial isolates from 265 wild bats of 13 species in western Canada. Among the 1,362 isolates, 96 showed inhibitory activity against Pd based on a coculture assay. The inhibitory activities varied widely among these isolates, ranging from slowing fungal growth to complete inhibition. Interestingly, host bats containing isolates with anti-Pd activities were widely distributed, with no apparent geographic or species-specific pattern. However, characteristics of roosting sites and host demography showed significant associations with the isolation of anti-Pd bacteria. Specifically, anthropogenic roosts and swabs from young males had higher frequencies of anti-Pd bacteria than those from natural roosts and those from other sex and age-groups, respectively. These anti-Pd bacteria could be potentially used to help mitigate the impact of WNS. Field trials using these as well as additional microbes from future screenings are needed in order to determine their effectiveness for the prevention and treatment against WNS.

Disease-related population declines in bats demonstrate non-exchangeability in generalist predators.

The extent to which persisting species may fill the functional role of extirpated or declining species has profound implications for the structure of biological communities and ecosystem functioning. In North America, arthropodivorous bats are threatened on a continent‐wide scale by the spread of white‐nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. We tested whether bat species that display lower mortality from this disease can partially fill the functional role of other bat species experiencing population declines. Specifically, we performed high‐throughput amplicon sequencing of guano from two generalist predators: the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). We then compared changes in prey consumption before versus after population declines related to WNS. Dietary niches contracted for both species after large and abrupt declines in little brown bats and smaller declines in big brown bats, but interspecific dietary overlap did not change. Furthermore, the incidence and taxonomic richness of agricultural pest taxa detected in diet samples decreased following bat population declines. Our results suggest that persisting generalist predators do not necessarily expand their dietary niches following population declines in other predators, providing further evidence that the functional roles of different generalist predators are ecologically distinct.

Distribution and Roost Site Selection of Eastern Small-Footed Bats (Myotis leibii) in Mountains of West-Central Arkansas

Myotis leibii (Eastern Small-footed Bat) is a rare species in eastern North America that is threatened by habitat loss and white-nose syndrome. Although rare, this species cannot be adequately evaluated for listing on the Endangered Species Act because of data deficiencies, including about its distribution and roost habitat. Our objectives were to document the distribution of Eastern Small-footed Bats and determine landscape and local characteristics that influence their probability of presence in the mountains of west-central Arkansas. Using acoustic monitoring, visual searches of rock formations, and mist-netting, we found that presence of Eastern Small-footed Bats was more likely in regions with talus slopes and nearby forest cover. These features may benefit the species by providing abundant options for roost switching, unique thermal properties, and short distances to foraging habitat.

Characteristics of Day-Roosts Used by Northern Long-Eared Bats (Myotis septentrionalis) in Coastal New York

In North America, Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat) has experienced precipitous declines from white-nose syndrome. As these bats become rare and difficult to capture, additional day-roost assessments to inform management may fill gaps in our understanding, particularly in habitats and regions where such roosts have never been surveyed. Over 2 summers, we radio-tracked 16 individuals from a maternity colony on Long Island, NY, in a small forested patch surrounded by development and ocean. These bats disproportionately selected small, suppressed Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust) trees or snags for roosting. Generally, roosts occurred within the interior or edges of this forest patch, rather than surrounding suburbia, reinforcing the hypothesis that Northern Long-eared Bats are forest adapted. Our study shows even small tracts of forest in coastal, urban areas may have conservation value in providing day-roost and foraging habitat.

Plant pathogens provide clues to the potential origin of bat white-nose syndrome Pseudogymnoascus destructans

ABSTRACT White-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats, yet both the origins and infection strategy of the causative fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, remain elusive. We provide evidence for a novel hypothesis that P. destructans emerged from plant-associated fungi and retained invasion strategies affiliated with fungal pathogens of plants. We demonstrate that P. destructans invades bat skin in successive biotrophic and necrotrophic stages (hemibiotrophic infection), a mechanism previously only described in plant fungal pathogens. Further, the convergence of hyphae at hair follicles suggests nutrient tropism. Tropism, biotrophy, and necrotrophy are often associated with structures termed appressoria in plant fungal pathogens; the penetrating hyphae produced by P. destructans resemble appressoria. Finally, we conducted a phylogenomic analysis of a taxonomically diverse collection of fungi. Despite gaps in genetic sampling of prehistoric and contemporary fungal species, we estimate an 88% probability the ancestral state of the clade containing P. destructans was a plant-associated fungus.

Evaluating bat diversity and activity in developed and undeveloped locations of West Virginia’s northern panhandle

Bat populations are declining due to habitat loss and the spread of the deadly fungal pathogen, white-nose syndrome. Increased studies of bat populations and their diversity are necessary to ensure their survival. Bat diversity and activity levels are understudied in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. For our study, sixteen sites were selected (four in each county: Ohio, Brooke, Hancock and Marshall). Using mobile ultrasonic bat detectors, bat calls were detected from different species at each location while walking a 1-kilometer transect after sunset. In addition, stationary recorders were placed in all four counties over the summer and in a subset of the counties during the fall and spring. Our null hypothesis suggests that sites/transects will not show any statistical difference of bat diversity in developed or undeveloped locations of West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. Our alternative hypothesis formulates that bat diversity will be statistically different between developed and undeveloped transects. Results from the summer transects show a significant difference between activity in developed and undeveloped sites (p = 0.008433). Sites were, and still are, being evaluated based on the number of species recorded at each site.

ROADWAY-ASSOCIATED CULVERTS MAY SERVE AS A TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR FOR PSEUDOGYMNOASCUS DESTRUCTANS AND WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME IN THE COASTAL PLAINS AND COASTAL REGION OF GEORGIA, USA.

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease among hibernating North American bats caused by the psychrophilic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Since its discovery in New York state, US, in 2006, and as of 2020, WNS has rapidly spread to 34 American states and seven Canadian provinces, causing precipitous declines of native bat populations across North America. The rapid spread of this fungal pathogen has been facilitated by the social behavior of bats, as well as the ability of subterranean hibernacula to support a favorable environment for P. destructans, and is probably exacerbated by anthropogenic transmission events. Although many bat species roost in natural cave environments, bats also selectively use diverse structures for hibernacula. Certain areas of the US lack caves, forcing bats to select different winter roosting environments. Bats have been observed using roadway-associated structures, such as bridges and culverts, for roosting, especially in regions that lack natural cave environments. However, the potential for P. destructans transmission in such roadway-associated structures requires further investigation. Understanding potential pathogen transmission in these widely used anthropogenic structures is crucial to disease management and preventing further declines of imperiled bat populations. Our study investigated these structures as potential pathogen transmission corridors by surveying the use of these structures by Perimyotis subflavus and other susceptible bat populations and by measuring their temperature. The results suggest the environments of roadway-associated culverts are thermally conducive to the proliferation of P. destructans-even in regions with mild winters-and the development of WNS in susceptible bat populations. It is apparent these roadway-associated structures have the potential to spread P. destructans and exacerbate the effect of WNS on susceptible bat populations.

Great diversity of KSα sequences from bat-associated microbiota suggests novel sources of uncharacterized natural products.

Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are multidomain enzymes in microorganisms that synthesize complex, bioactive molecules. PKS II systems are iterative, containing only a single representative of each domain: ketosynthase alpha (KSn}{}alpha ), ketosynthase beta and the acyl carrier protein. Any gene encoding for one of these domains is representative of an entire PKS II biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC). Bat skin surfaces represent an extreme environment prolific in Actinobacteria that may constitute a source for bioactive molecule discovery. KSn}{}alpha sequences were obtained from culturable bacteria from bats in the southwestern United States. From 467 bat bacterial isolates, we detected 215 (46%) had KSn}{}alpha sequences. Sequencing yielded 210 operational taxonomic units, and phylogenetic placement found 45 (21%) shared <85% homology to characterized metabolites. Additionally, 16 Actinobacteria genomes from the bat microbiome were analyzed for biosynthetic capacity. A range of 69–93% of the BGCs were novel suggesting the bat microbiome may contain valuable uncharacterized natural products. Documenting and characterizing these are important in understanding the susceptibility of bats to emerging infectious diseases, such as white-nose syndrome. Also noteworthy was the relationship between KS n}{}alpha homology and total BGC novelty within each fully sequenced strain. We propose amplification and detection of KSn}{}alpha could predict a strain's global biosynthetic capacity.

Ecosystem Services and Land Rental Markets: Producer Costs of Bat Population Crashes

Nonmarket natural capital provides crucial inputs across the economy. We use land rental market data to calculate the welfare impacts of a change in an unpriced natural capital while accounting for spatial spillovers. We apply the welfare analysis to examine the cost of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats, which provide pest control services to agricultural producers. WNS, a disease that decimates bat populations, arrived in the United States in the mid-2000s. Leveraging the exogenous change in bat populations, we find that the loss of bats in a county causes land rental rates to fall by $2.84 per acre plus $1.50 per acre per neighboring county with WNS. Agricultural land falls by 1,102 acres plus 582 acres per neighboring county with WNS. As of 2017, agricultural losses from WNS were between $426 and $495 million per year. These estimates of ecosystem service values can inform public management of society’s natural capital.

Population sizes and activity patterns of little brown myotis in Yellowstone National Park

AbstractThe spread of white-nose syndrome into western North America has caused concerns that bat species inhabiting the region will soon experience population declines like those seen to the east. However, much of the region lacks baseline estimates of abundance for bats believed to be susceptible to WNS due to a scarcity of known hibernacula, where populations are traditionally monitored. The goal of this study was to determine the abundance, roost fidelity, and activity patterns of summer colonies of female little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) in an area with no known hibernacula. To accomplish this, we subcutaneously implanted passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags into 297 female little brown myotis from 2015 to 2018 and installed radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers and antennas inside three maternity roosts in Yellowstone National Park. Bats occupied RFID-monitored roosts on 32% of days and were never detected at maternity roosts located &amp;gt; 16 km from where they were tagged. Roost fidelity varied throughout summer and was greatest during late gestation and early lactation. This allowed us to combine nightly scans of RFID-tagged bats with visual emergence counts to estimate the population of bats using two roosts located &amp;gt;16 km apart during 2017–2018. Population estimates of both colonies were markedly higher (N* = 208 ± 6 bats and N* = 836 ± 67 bats during 2018) than the number of bats seen during evening emergence (high counts of 127 and 222, respectively). Nocturnal visits of tagged bats to these roosts increased around the time of parturition, indicative of bats returning to nurse young. These data show that emergence count and PIT tag data can be combined to monitor bat population abundance and activity patterns in areas where hibernacula are absent or where their locations are unknown.

Winter torpor expression varies in four bat species with differential susceptibility to white-nose syndrome

Studies examining the overwintering behaviors of North American hibernating bats are limited to a handful of species. We deployed temperature-sensitive transmitters on four species of bat that exhibit differences in their susceptibility to white nose syndrome (WNS; Myotis grisescens, M. leibii, M. sodalis, and Perimyotis subflavus) to determine if these differences are correlated with behavior exhibited during hibernation (i.e., torpor expression and arousal frequency). Mean torpor skin temperature (Tsk) and torpor bout duration varied significantly among species (P ≤ 0.024), but arousal Tsk and duration did not (P ≥ 0.057). One of the species with low susceptibility to WNS, M. leibii, had significantly shorter torpor bout durations (37.67 ± 26.89 h) than M. sodalis (260.67 ± 41.33 h), the species with medium susceptibility to WNS. Myotis leibii also had significantly higher torpor Tsk (18.57 °C ± 0.20) than M. grisescens (13.33 °C ± 0.60), a second species with low WNS susceptibility. The high susceptibility species, Perimyotis subflavus, exhibited low torpor Tsk (14.42 °C ± 0.36) but short torpor bouts (72.36 ± 32.16 h). We demonstrate that the four cavernicolous species examined exhibit a wide range in torpid skin temperature and torpor bout duration. Information from this study may improve WNS management in multispecies hibernacula or individual species management by providing insight into how some species may differ in their techniques for overwinter survival.

Evaluation of Virus-Free and Wild-Type Isolates of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Using a Porcine Ear Model.

ABSTRACTWhite-nose syndrome (WNS), responsible for the mass mortality of North American bats, lacks economically viable and practical in vitro models for Pseudogymnoascus destructans infection, the causative agent of WNS. Not only are many susceptible North American insectivorous bats nearing extinction and, thus, scarce for experimental studies, but they are difficult to care for and maintain in captivity because of their specialized habitats and diets. In this study, we explored porcine ears as a potential substrate for studying infection development and the dynamics of P. destructans growth in the laboratory. Porcine ear skin shares many tissue-level similarities with bat skin and is a readily available resource. We found the porcine ear model provided a substrate faithfully mimicking external P. destructans colony morphology and internal histology similar to what is seen with P. destructans infections in bat wing membranes. This model provided a major advance by distinguishing virulence attributes between a wild-type Pseudogymnoascus destructans strain harboring a partitivirus common to all North American strains of the fungus and an isogenic virus-cured P. destructans strain. ImageJ analysis showed that the cured P. destructans strain was reduced significantly in ability to produce hyphal cover and showed less spore production on porcine skin. Taken together, these results strengthen our previous finding that the partitivirus infection has a role in WNS and provides a valuable model host tool in understanding P. destructans virulence factors for therapeutic application.IMPORTANCE This work describes an important insight into the role of Pseudogymnoascus destructans partitivirus in fungal biology and provides a model system for studying white-nose syndrome in bats, which has decimated North American populations.

Can acoustic recordings of cave-exiting bats in winter estimate bat abundance in hibernacula?

Many bat species in North America face precarious futures due to white-nose syndrome and wind energy development. These threats, and others, make it imperative to monitor long-term population fluctuations of bats. Counting hibernating bats in caves estimates abundance of these cave-dwelling mammals, and such counts can be used to understand population fluctuations across time. Passive acoustic monitoring can capture large amounts of long-term data that are standardized, scalable, and reproducible; these data can also be archived for future analyses. Little work has been done, however, assessing the relationship between recorded acoustic data from bats that arouse from torpor during hibernation and fly out of caves and number of bats counted in hibernacula. We acoustically monitored and counted two species of bats in 9 hibernacula from November to March 2011 to 2018. We hypothesized that acoustic data recorded from Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) and western small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) exiting hibernacula could be used to estimate abundance of those species in hibernacula. Over seven years, we conducted 29 hibernacula surveys and simultaneously set passive acoustic detectors during winter when those surveys were conducted. Acoustic monitors recorded for 1,063 nights. Detectors recorded 2,459 files of Townsend’s big-eared bats and 9,094 files of western small-footed myotis. Across all years and hibernacula, mean number of Townsend’s big-eared bats counted in a cave was 96; mean number of western small-footed myotis counted in a cave was 7. For Townsend’s big-eared bats, the top model held 43% of model weight and included the variables bat activity (i.e., mean number of Anabat files/night) and cave. For western small-footed myotis, the top model held 55% of model weight and contained the variable bat activity. Mean number of acoustic recordings of bats flying out of a cave across a winter was positively related to number of hibernating bats counted in a cave in a year for western small-footed myotis—with greater variability for estimates with a larger number of acoustic files recorded of bats flying out of caves; for Townsend’s big-eared bats that relationship held for 2 caves with > 90 individuals. Our results indicate that researchers can use passive acoustic data as an index of abundance of bats hibernating in caves in temperate climate zones. Additionally, our data indicate that researchers can acoustically detect hibernating western small-footed myotis even when these bats are not observed during hibernacula surveys. This monitoring can minimize the potential effect of researchers on the behavior of bats, facilitate long-term monitoring, and reduce the number of occasions that biologists enter caves to count bats.

White‐nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes (DOI)

Federal Grants & ContractsVolume 46, Issue 7 p. 4-5 Grant Alerts White-nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes (DOI) First published: 01 March 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/fgc.32244Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume46, Issue73 March 2022Pages 4-5 RelatedInformation

Decline of the Northern Long-Eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) in the Eastern Great Plains After the Arrival of White-Nose Syndrome

The northern long-eared myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) has declined sharply in the eastern United States due to the disease white-nose syndrome (WNS), which is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). However, less is known about the species' status in the central and western parts of its range where WNS has arrived more recently. Here we report the timing of the arrival of Pd and WNS to eastern Nebraska and examine acoustic and capture data of M. septentrionalis to determine the initial impact of the disease on this species. We sampled bats for the presence of Pd and WNS at several mines and one rock crevice in eastern Nebraska from 2014 to 2017. We also recorded bats with acoustic detectors and captured bats with mist nets in spring and summer from 2014 to 2019 at 2 forested sites along the Missouri River near areas of sampling for Pd/WNS. Both acoustic and capture data suggested that M. septentrionalis went from a common species in forests of eastern Nebraska to one that is encountered rarely after the arrival of WNS. Similar to the population declines in the eastern United States, our observations indicate that M. septentrionalis has also declined steeply in the eastern Great Plains and should be closely monitored in western parts of its distribution as WNS continues to spread.

Biomarker Metabolites Discriminate between Physiological States of Field, Cave and White-nose Syndrome Diseased Bats.

Analysis of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions using electronic-nose (e-nose) devices has shown promise for early detection of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. Tricolored bats, Perimyotis subflavus, from three separate sampling groups defined by environmental conditions, levels of physical activity, and WNS-disease status were captured temporarily for collection of VOC emissions to determine relationships between these combinations of factors and physiological states, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd)-infection status, and metabolic conditions. Physiologically active (non-torpid) healthy individuals were captured outside of caves in Arkansas and Louisiana. In addition, healthy and WNS-diseased torpid bats were sampled within caves in Arkansas. Whole-body VOC emissions from bats were collected using portable air-collection and sampling-chamber devices in tandem. Electronic aroma-detection data using three-dimensional Principal Component Analysis provided strong evidence that the three groups of bats had significantly different e-nose aroma signatures, indicative of different VOC profiles. This was confirmed by differences in peak numbers, peak areas, and tentative chemical identities indicated by chromatograms from dual-column GC-analyses. The numbers and quantities of VOCs present in whole-body emissions from physiologically active healthy field bats were significantly greater than those of torpid healthy and diseased cave bats. Specific VOCs were identified as chemical biomarkers of healthy and diseased states, environmental conditions (outside and inside of caves), and levels of physiological activity. These results suggest that GC/E-nose dual-technologies based on VOC-detection and analyses of physiological states, provide noninvasive alternative means for early assessments of Pd-infection, WNS-disease status, and other physiological states.

Experimental inoculation trial to determine the effects of temperature and humidity on White-nose Syndrome in hibernating bats

Disease results from interactions among the host, pathogen, and environment. Inoculation trials can quantify interactions among these players and explain aspects of disease ecology to inform management in variable and dynamic natural environments. White-nose Syndrome, a disease caused by the fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), has caused severe population declines of several bat species in North America. We conducted the first experimental infection trial on the tri-colored bat, Perimyotis subflavus, to test the effect of temperature and humidity on disease severity. We also tested the effects of temperature and humidity on fungal growth and persistence on substrates. Unexpectedly, only 37% (35/95) of bats experimentally inoculated with Pd at the start of the experiment showed any infection response or disease symptoms after 83 days of captive hibernation. There was no evidence that temperature or humidity influenced infection response. Temperature had a strong effect on fungal growth on media plates, but the influence of humidity was more variable and uncertain. Designing laboratory studies to maximize research outcomes would be beneficial given the high costs of such efforts and potential for unexpected outcomes. Understanding the influence of microclimates on host–pathogen interactions remains an important consideration for managing wildlife diseases, particularly in variable environments.

Pseudogymnoascus destructans (white-nose syndrome fungus)

This datasheet on Pseudogymnoascus destructans covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Hosts/Species Affected, Environmental Requirements, Impacts, Further Information.

Summer Populations of Northern Long-eared Bat in an Eastern Kentucky Forest Following Arrival of White-nose Syndrome

Myotis bats have experienced significant population losses due to white-nose syndrome (WNS) throughout large portions of their distributions in eastern North America. As closed-space foragers, these species comprise an important feeding guild within eastern forests. An understanding of where summer populations remain and how their ecology has changed following impact from WNS is needed to assess fully the recovery potential of Myotis bats. We used acoustic sampling, capture surveys, radiotelemetry and roost surveys from 2015 to 2018 to evaluate the status of northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in an eastern Kentucky forest following region-wide impacts from WNS to this species. Acoustic activity of Myotis remained unchanged over the 4 y of sampling, with activity of these bats greatest in mid- to late July. Northern long-eared bats represented 97% of the Myotis captured, indicating activity levels likely reflected patterns for this species. We located 18 roost trees of northern long-eared bats in five tree species, including both live and dead trees. All roost trees were on upper slopes within 100 m of ridge top roads. Maximum exit counts, 24 and 21, at two roosts occurred in late May and early June, suggesting these dates represented the summer maternity period of northern long-eared bats in this forest. Our results demonstrated that post-WNS populations of northern long-eared bats on Robinson Forest formed small colonies, day-roosted in trees near roads on forested ridge tops, were reproductively active, and maintained steady levels of activity across the 4 y of sampling. These data suggest that local populations of northern long-eared bats are surviving WNS and continue to persist during summer months in forests of the Appalachian Mountain region. We hypothesize presence of ridge top roads, often associated with forest logging operations, may be important habitat elements for increasing availability of preferred roosting habitat for summer populations of northern long-eared bats in actively managed forests.