White Nose Syndrome a National Concern

Thousands of caves in 33 states are closing due to the death of over 500,000 bats. Their death is believed to be due to a fungus causing what is commonly known as white nose syndrome. It appears during hibernation as white powder on the nose and wings. The syndrome somehow affects the bats' hibernation habits and effectively causes starvation. White nose syndrome was first spotted in New York two years ago. How this syndrome spreads is not certain and scientists are not ruling out a human connection, said Dennis Krusac, a Forest Service Biologist of the Southern region.

Scientists are especially concerned that white nose syndrome will extinct endangered species like Ozark big-eared bats (pictured above).

Bats are extremely important for insect control. An individual bat can eat up to 3000 insects (mostly mosquitoes) per night. "The loss of 500,000 bats means 2.4 million pounds of bugs not eaten in a year, said Ms. Ewing, a Forest Service Biologist." Insects like mosquitoes are often carriers of serious diseases and pathogens. A decrease in the number of bats means a drastic increase in the number of insects. An unnaturally high level of mosquitoes may mean more disease and the allowance of these diseases to spread more quickly through a human population.

The federal Forest Service is preparing to shut down human access to caves across 33 states from Maine to Michigan and New York to Virginia. This new order follows a decree by the Fish and Wildlife service in March asking people to voluntarily stay out of caves in 17 states. Violation of the new order banning human access to caves will result in up to 6 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

Soil samples were taken from 200 of the caves for further study that is estimated to be finished in September. The results will help resolve the question of how white nose sydrome is spreading and other key aspects of its nature.

-Jillian O'Keefe (Group C)

Update:

The newly identified fungus is believed to belong to the anamorphic genus Geomyces. Bats affected by white nose syndrome exhibit many strange, uncharacteristic behaviors including:

• flying around in the winter or during the daytime when insects they feed on are not available
• hibernating in or moving to a cold part of their cave (clustering near the entrance)

These behaviors contribute to very low body fat which is essential for hibernation. Sick, dying, and dead bats are being found in and around caves thoughout the Northeast. In some caves in MA, CT, and VT the mortality rate is 90%- 100%. Despite extensive research the cause of the bats' death remains unknown.