Varying Disease Density of Myotis lucifugus
Faculty Mentor
Krisztian Magori
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
10-5-2023 1:40 PM
End Date
10-5-2023 2:00 PM
Location
PUB 317
Department
Biology
Abstract
Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), is causing a severe decline in the populations of over 12 species of bats including Myotis lucifugus (little brown bat). Bats affected with WNS have shown white, fuzzy fungus growth, typically located on their nose, wings, and ears. WNS can cause bats to deplete their fat reserves during hibernation periods due to abnormal increased energy, leading to starvation. Other symptoms include wing damage, skin tissue lesions, dysregulation of body temperature, disruptive breathing patterns, and dehydration. The disease has caused hibernation mortality rates of 75-98% in multiple bat species including Myotis lucifugus, which are known to carry parasites such as mites and ticks. The objective of our study is to sample from a population of Myotis lucifugus and analyze the density of varying diseases among the host population. We hypothesize that the Myotis lucifugus population will contain a combination of pathogens and parasites. Our group will test this by traveling to a regional bat site, collecting samples from Myotis lucifugus, and analyzing our findings using laboratory techniques. We will be assisting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as the Bureau of Land Management during this time. The results of this experiment are expected to conclude with minimal to zero confirmed samples of White-Nose Syndrome, as well as multiple findings of mites, ticks, and bat flies. Our results should contribute to prior knowledge of varying disease density among the Myotis lucifugus population.
Recommended Citation
Novak, Melanie; Tyner, Emily; Grove, Autumn; and Zimmermann, Blake, "Varying Disease Density of Myotis lucifugus" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 10.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/os1_2023/10
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Varying Disease Density of Myotis lucifugus
PUB 317
Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), is causing a severe decline in the populations of over 12 species of bats including Myotis lucifugus (little brown bat). Bats affected with WNS have shown white, fuzzy fungus growth, typically located on their nose, wings, and ears. WNS can cause bats to deplete their fat reserves during hibernation periods due to abnormal increased energy, leading to starvation. Other symptoms include wing damage, skin tissue lesions, dysregulation of body temperature, disruptive breathing patterns, and dehydration. The disease has caused hibernation mortality rates of 75-98% in multiple bat species including Myotis lucifugus, which are known to carry parasites such as mites and ticks. The objective of our study is to sample from a population of Myotis lucifugus and analyze the density of varying diseases among the host population. We hypothesize that the Myotis lucifugus population will contain a combination of pathogens and parasites. Our group will test this by traveling to a regional bat site, collecting samples from Myotis lucifugus, and analyzing our findings using laboratory techniques. We will be assisting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as the Bureau of Land Management during this time. The results of this experiment are expected to conclude with minimal to zero confirmed samples of White-Nose Syndrome, as well as multiple findings of mites, ticks, and bat flies. Our results should contribute to prior knowledge of varying disease density among the Myotis lucifugus population.
