1
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Whiting-Fawcett F, Blomberg AS, Troitsky T, Meierhofer MB, Field KA, Puechmaille SJ, Lilley TM. A Palearctic view of a bat fungal disease. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14265. [PMID: 38616727 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The fungal infection causing white-nose disease in hibernating bats in North America has resulted in dramatic population declines of affected species, since the introduction of the causative agent Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The fungus is native to the Palearctic, where it also infects several bat species, yet rarely causes severe pathology or the death of the host. Pseudogymnoascus destructans infects bats during hibernation by invading and digesting the skin tissue, resulting in the disruption of torpor patterns and consequent emaciation. Relations among pathogen, host, and environment are complex, and individuals, populations, and species respond to the fungal pathogen in different ways. For example, the Nearctic Myotis lucifugus responds to infection by mounting a robust immune response, leading to immunopathology often contributing to mortality. In contrast, the Palearctic M. myotis shows no significant immunological response to infection. This lack of a strong response, resulting from the long coevolution between the hosts and the pathogen in the pathogen's native range, likely contributes to survival in tolerant species. After more than 15 years since the initial introduction of the fungus to North America, some of the affected populations are showing signs of recovery, suggesting that the fungus, hosts, or both are undergoing processes that may eventually lead to coexistence. The suggested or implemented management methods of the disease in North America have encompassed, for example, the use of probiotics and fungicides, vaccinations, and modifying the environmental conditions of the hibernation sites to limit the growth of the pathogen, intensity of infection, or the hosts' responses to it. Based on current knowledge from Eurasia, policy makers and conservation managers should refrain from disrupting the ongoing evolutionary processes and adopt a holistic approach to managing the epizootic.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Whiting-Fawcett
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A S Blomberg
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Troitsky
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M B Meierhofer
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K A Field
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - S J Puechmaille
- Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - T M Lilley
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Garcias-Bonet N, Roik A, Tierney B, García FC, Villela HDM, Dungan AM, Quigley KM, Sweet M, Berg G, Gram L, Bourne DG, Ushijima B, Sogin M, Hoj L, Duarte G, Hirt H, Smalla K, Rosado AS, Carvalho S, Thurber RV, Ziegler M, Mason CE, van Oppen MJH, Voolstra CR, Peixoto RS. Horizon scanning the application of probiotics for wildlife. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:252-269. [PMID: 37758552 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The provision of probiotics benefits the health of a wide range of organisms, from humans to animals and plants. Probiotics can enhance stress resilience of endangered organisms, many of which are critically threatened by anthropogenic impacts. The use of so-called 'probiotics for wildlife' is a nascent application, and the field needs to reflect on standards for its development, testing, validation, risk assessment, and deployment. Here, we identify the main challenges of this emerging intervention and provide a roadmap to validate the effectiveness of wildlife probiotics. We cover the essential use of inert negative controls in trials and the investigation of the probiotic mechanisms of action. We also suggest alternative microbial therapies that could be tested in parallel with the probiotic application. Our recommendations align approaches used for humans, aquaculture, and plants to the emerging concept and use of probiotics for wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Garcias-Bonet
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anna Roik
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), Oldenburg, Germany; Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Braden Tierney
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francisca C García
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helena D M Villela
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashley M Dungan
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate M Quigley
- Minderoo Foundation, Perth, WA, Australia; James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Michael Sweet
- Aquatic Research Facility, Nature-based Solutions Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria; University of Potsdam and Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lone Gram
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
| | - David G Bourne
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville MC, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Blake Ushijima
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - Maggie Sogin
- Molecular Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Lone Hoj
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville MC, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Gustavo Duarte
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; IMPG, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Heribert Hirt
- Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Alexandre S Rosado
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Susana Carvalho
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; WorldQuant Initiative on Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville MC, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | | | - Raquel S Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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3
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Blejwas K, Beard L, Buchanan J, Lausen CL, Neubaum D, Tobin A, Weller TJ. COULD WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME MANIFEST DIFFERENTLY IN MYOTIS LUCIFUGUS IN WESTERN VERSUS EASTERN REGIONS OF NORTH AMERICA? A REVIEW OF FACTORS. J Wildl Dis 2023; 59:381-397. [PMID: 37270186 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) has notably affected the abundance of Myotis lucifugus (little brown myotis) in North America. Thus far, substantial mortality has been restricted to the eastern part of the continent where the cause of WNS, the invasive fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has infected bats since 2006. To date, the state of Washington is the only area in the Western US or Canada (the Rocky Mountains and further west in North America) with confirmed cases of WNS in bats, and there the disease has spread more slowly than it did in Eastern North America. Here, we review differences between M. lucifugus in western and eastern parts of the continent that may affect transmission, spread, and severity of WNS in the West and highlight important gaps in knowledge. We explore the hypothesis that western M. lucifugus may respond differently to WNS on the basis of different hibernation strategies, habitat use, and greater genetic structure. To document the effect of WNS on M. lucifugus in the West most effectively, we recommend focusing on maternity roosts for strategic disease surveillance and monitoring abundance. We further recommend continuing the challenging work of identifying hibernation and swarming sites to better understand the microclimates, microbial communities, and role in disease transmission of these sites, as well as the ecology and hibernation physiology of bats in noncavernous hibernacula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Blejwas
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, PO Box 110024, Juneau, Alaska 99811, USA
- Except for the first author, all others are listed in alphabetical order
| | - Laura Beard
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 260 Buena Vista, Lander, Wyoming 82520, USA
| | - Joseph Buchanan
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 43200, Olympia, Washington 98501, USA
| | - Cori L Lausen
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, 202 B Avenue, Kaslo, British Columbia V0G 1M0, Canada
| | - Daniel Neubaum
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 711 Independent Ave., Grand Junction, Colorado 81507, USA
| | - Abigail Tobin
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 43200, Olympia, Washington 98501, USA
| | - Theodore J Weller
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 1700 Bayview Drive, Arcata, California 95521, USA
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Gabriel KT, McDonald AG, Lutsch KE, Pattavina PE, Morris KM, Ferrall EA, Crow SA, Cornelison CT. Development of a multi-year white-nose syndrome mitigation strategy using antifungal volatile organic compounds. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278603. [PMID: 36454924 PMCID: PMC9714803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a fungal pathogen responsible for a deadly disease among North American bats known as white-nose syndrome (WNS). Since detection of WNS in the United States in 2006, its rapid spread and high mortality has challenged development of treatment and prevention methods, a significant objective for wildlife management agencies. In an effort to mitigate precipitous declines in bat populations due to WNS, we have developed and implemented a multi-year mitigation strategy at Black Diamond Tunnel (BDT), Georgia, singly known as one of the most substantial winter colony sites for tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus), with pre-WNS abundance exceeding 5000 individuals. Our mitigation approach involved in situ treatment of bats at the colony level through aerosol distribution of antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that demonstrated an in vitro ability to inhibit P. destructans conidia germination and mycelial growth through contact-independent exposure. The VOCs evaluated have been identified from microbes inhabiting naturally-occurring fungistatic soils and endophytic fungi. These VOCs are of low toxicity to mammals and have been observed to elicit antagonism of P. destructans at low gaseous concentrations. Cumulatively, our observations resolved no detrimental impact on bat behavior or health, yet indicated a potential for attenuation of WNS related declines at BDT and demonstrated the feasibility of this novel disease management approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle T. Gabriel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ashley G. McDonald
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kelly E. Lutsch
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Peter E. Pattavina
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Katrina M. Morris
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation Section, Social Circle, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Emily A. Ferrall
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation Section, Social Circle, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Sidney A. Crow
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Christopher T. Cornelison
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, United States of America
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5
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Forney R, Rios-Sotelo G, Lindauer A, Willis CKR, Voyles J. Temperature shifts associated with bat arousals during hibernation inhibit the growth of Pseudogymnoascus destructans. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211986. [PMID: 36425515 PMCID: PMC9682300 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Temperature is a critically important factor in many infectious disease systems, because it can regulate responses in both the host and the pathogen. White-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats is a severe infectious disease caused by the temperature-sensitive fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). One feature of WNS is an increase in the frequency of arousal bouts (i.e. when bat body temperatures are elevated) in Pd-infected bats during hibernation. While several studies have proposed that increased frequency of arousals may play a role in the pathophysiology of WNS, it is unknown if the temperature fluctuations might mediate Pd growth. We hypothesized that exposure to a high frequency of elevated temperatures would reduce Pd growth due to thermal constraints on the pathogen. We simulated the thermal conditions for arousal bouts of uninfected and infected bats during hibernation (fluctuating from 8 to 25°C at two different rates) and quantified Pd growth in vitro. We found that increased exposure to high temperatures significantly reduced Pd growth. Because temperature is one of the most critical abiotic factors mediating host-pathogen interactions, resolving how Pd responds to fluctuating temperatures will provide insights for understanding WNS in bats and other fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronny Forney
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Alexa Lindauer
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
- Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA
| | - Craig K. R. Willis
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jamie Voyles
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
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6
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Loeb SC, Winters EA. Changes in hibernating tricolored bat ( Perimyotis subflavus) roosting behavior in response to white-nose syndrome. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9045. [PMID: 35822112 PMCID: PMC9259850 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding animals' behavioral and physiological responses to pathogenic diseases is critical for management and conservation. One such disease, white‐nose syndrome (WNS), has greatly affected bat populations throughout eastern North America leading to significant population declines in several species. Although tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) populations have experienced significant declines, little research has been conducted on their responses to the disease, particularly in the southeastern United States. Our objective was to document changes in tricolored bat roost site use after the appearance of WNS in a hibernaculum in the southeastern U.S. and relate these to microsite temperatures, ambient conditions, and population trends. We censused a tricolored bat hibernaculum in northwestern South Carolina, USA, once each year between February 26 and March 2, 2014–2021, and recorded species, section of the tunnel, distance from the entrance, and wall temperature next to each bat. The number of tricolored bats in the hibernaculum dropped by 90.3% during the first 3 years after the arrival of WNS. However, numbers stabilized and slightly increased from 2018 to 2021. Prior to the arrival of WNS, 95.6% of tricolored bats roosted in the back portion of the tunnel that was the warmest. After the arrival of WNS, we observed a significant increase in the proportion of bats using the front, colder portions of the tunnel, particularly during the period of population stabilization and increase. Roost temperatures of bats were also positively associated with February external temperatures. Our results suggest that greater use of the colder sections of the tunnel by tricolored bats could have led to increased survival due to slower growth rates of the fungus that causes WNS in colder temperatures or decreased energetic costs associated with colder hibernation temperatures. Thus, management actions that provide cold hibernacula may be an option for long‐term management of hibernacula, particularly in southern regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan C Loeb
- U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station Clemson South Carolina USA
| | - Eric A Winters
- U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station Clemson South Carolina USA
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Sewall BJ, Turner GG, Scafini MR, Johnson JS. Cooling subterranean environments for climate adaptation and disease management: reply to Meierhofer et al. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13928. [PMID: 35510359 PMCID: PMC9325374 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Brent J. Sewall
- Department of BiologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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Turner GG, Sewall BJ, Scafini MR, Lilley TM, Bitz D, Johnson JS. Cooling of bat hibernacula to mitigate white-nose syndrome. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13803. [PMID: 34224186 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease that has caused precipitous declines in several North American bat species, creating an urgent need for conservation. We examined how microclimates and other characteristics of hibernacula have affected bat populations following WNS-associated declines and evaluated whether cooling of warm, little-used hibernacula could benefit bats. During the period following mass mortality (2013-2020), we conducted 191 winter surveys of 25 unmanipulated hibernacula and 6 manipulated hibernacula across Pennsylvania (USA). We joined these data with additional datasets on historical (pre-WNS) bat counts and on the spatial distribution of underground sites. We used generalized linear mixed models and model selection to identify factors affecting bat populations. Winter counts of Myotis lucifugus were higher and increased over time in colder hibernacula (those with midwinter temperatures of 3-6 °C) compared with warmer (7-11 °C) hibernacula. Counts of Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis leibii, and Myotis septentrionalis were likewise higher in colder hibernacula (temperature effects = -0.73 [SE 0.15], -0.51 [0.18], and -0.97 [0.28], respectively). Populations of M. lucifugus and M. septentrionalis increased most over time in hibernacula surrounded by more nearby sites, whereas Eptesicus fuscus counts remained high where they had been high before WNS onset (pre-WNS high count effect = 0.59 [0.22]). Winter counts of M. leibii were higher in hibernacula with high vapor pressure deficits (VPDs) (particularly over 0.1 kPa) compared with sites with lower VPDs (VPD effect = 15.3 [4.6]). Counts of M. lucifugus and E. fuscus also appeared higher where VPD was higher. In contrast, Perimyotis subflavus counts increased over time in relatively warm hibernacula and were unaffected by VPD. Where we manipulated hibernacula, we achieved cooling of on average 2.1 °C. At manipulated hibernacula, counts of M. lucifugus and P. subflavus increased over time (years since manipulation effect = 0.70 [0.28] and 0.51 [0.15], respectively). Further, there were more E. fuscus where cooling was greatest (temperature difference effect = -0.46 [SE 0.11]), and there was some evidence there were more P. subflavus in hibernacula sections that remained warm after manipulation. These data show bats are responding effectively to WNS through habitat selection. In M. lucifugus, M. septentrionalis, and possibly P. subflavus, this response is ongoing, with bats increasingly aggregating at suitable hibernacula, whereas E. fuscus remain in previously favored sites. Our results suggest that cooling warm sites receiving little use by bats is a viable strategy for combating WNS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brent J Sewall
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Thomas M Lilley
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniel Bitz
- CNX Gas Company LLC, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph S Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA
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9
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Grimaudo AT, Hoyt JR, Yamada SA, Herzog CJ, Bennett AB, Langwig KE. Host traits and environment interact to determine persistence of bat populations impacted by white-nose syndrome. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:483-497. [PMID: 34935272 PMCID: PMC9299823 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases have resulted in severe population declines across diverse taxa. In some instances, despite attributes associated with high extinction risk, disease emergence and host declines are followed by host stabilisation for unknown reasons. While host, pathogen, and the environment are recognised as important factors that interact to determine host-pathogen coexistence, they are often considered independently. Here, we use a translocation experiment to disentangle the role of host traits and environmental conditions in driving the persistence of remnant bat populations a decade after they declined 70-99% due to white-nose syndrome and subsequently stabilised. While survival was significantly higher than during the initial epidemic within all sites, protection from severe disease only existed within a narrow environmental space, suggesting host traits conducive to surviving disease are highly environmentally dependent. Ultimately, population persistence following pathogen invasion is the product of host-pathogen interactions that vary across a patchwork of environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph R. Hoyt
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVirginiaUSA
| | | | - Carl J. Herzog
- New York State Department of Environmental ConservationAlbanyNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Kate E. Langwig
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVirginiaUSA
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10
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Experimental inoculation trial to determine the effects of temperature and humidity on White-nose Syndrome in hibernating bats. Sci Rep 2022; 12:971. [PMID: 35046462 PMCID: PMC8770465 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04965-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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11
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12
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Meierhofer MB, Leivers SJ, Pierce BL, Powers GW, Evans JW, Morrison ML. Structural and environmental predictors of tricolored bat presence and abundance in Texas caves. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The identification of bat colonies is essential to conserve and manage these globally threatened mammals. Caves offer potential roosting locations (hibernacula) to hibernating bat species; however, identifying regions where bat-occupied caves exist can be time-consuming. In Texas, caves are often on privately owned land, creating difficulties for accessing and managing potential hibernacula. The tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), a species susceptible to white-nose syndrome, hibernates in caves in the winter in Texas. We sought to identify and quantify site-specific structural and environmental features that influence the presence and abundance of overwintering tricolored bats. We surveyed caves for bats and recorded environmental and structural features of 116 caves January–February 2016, December–February 2016–2017, January–February 2018, and December–February 2018–2019. We used a zero-inflated Poisson regression to identify which features best explained the presence and abundance of tricolored bats. We found that bat presence increased as cave length decreased, and as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and external vapor pressure deficit increased. Bat abundance increased as number of portals, cave length, NDVI, and external temperature increased. Combining surface data with subsurface features can assist with identifying specific karst regions and known caves within those regions for survey and management efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Meierhofer
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Samantha J Leivers
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Brian L Pierce
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Garrett W Powers
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jonah W Evans
- Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Boerne, TX, USA
| | - Michael L Morrison
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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13
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Grider JF, Russell RE, Ballmann AE, Hefley TJ. Long‐term
Pseudogymnoascus destructans
surveillance data reveal factors contributing to pathogen presence. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John F. Grider
- U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center Madison Wisconsin 53711 USA
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Robin E. Russell
- U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center Madison Wisconsin 53711 USA
| | - Anne E. Ballmann
- U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center Madison Wisconsin 53711 USA
| | - Trevor J. Hefley
- Department of Statistics Kansas State University Manhattan Kansas 66506 USA
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Hranac CR, Haase CG, Fuller NW, McClure ML, Marshall JC, Lausen CL, McGuire LP, Olson SH, Hayman DTS. What is winter? Modeling spatial variation in bat host traits and hibernation and their implications for overwintering energetics. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:11604-11614. [PMID: 34522327 PMCID: PMC8427580 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) has decimated hibernating bat populations across eastern and central North America for over a decade. Disease severity is driven by the interaction between bat characteristics, the cold-loving fungal agent, and the hibernation environment. While we further improve hibernation energetics models, we have yet to examine how spatial heterogeneity in host traits is linked to survival in this disease system. Here, we develop predictive spatial models of body mass for the little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and reassess previous definitions of the duration of hibernation of this species. Using data from published literature, public databases, local experts, and our own fieldwork, we fit a series of generalized linear models with hypothesized abiotic drivers to create distribution-wide predictions of prehibernation body fat and hibernation duration. Our results provide improved estimations of hibernation duration and identify a scaling relationship between body mass and body fat; this relationship allows for the first continuous estimates of prehibernation body mass and fat across the species' distribution. We used these results to inform a hibernation energetic model to create spatially varying fat use estimates for M. lucifugus. These results predict WNS mortality of M. lucifugus populations in western North America may be comparable to the substantial die-off observed in eastern and central populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Reed Hranac
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health LaboratoryHopkirk Research InstituteMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Catherine G. Haase
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State UniversityBozemanMTUSA
- Present address:
Department of BiologyAustin Peay State UniversityClarksvilleTNUSA
| | - Nathan W. Fuller
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTXUSA
- Present address:
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentNongame and Rare Species ProgramAustinTXUSA
| | | | | | | | - Liam P. McGuire
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTXUSA
- Present address:
Department of BiologyUniversity of WaterlooWaterlooONCanada
| | | | - David T. S. Hayman
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health LaboratoryHopkirk Research InstituteMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
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15
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Blejwas KM, Pendleton GW, Kohan ML, Beard LO. The Milieu Souterrain Superficiel as hibernation habitat for bats: implications for white-nose syndrome. J Mammal 2021; 102:1110-1127. [PMID: 34393669 PMCID: PMC8357076 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that western populations of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) in North America exhibit different hibernation behavior than their eastern counterparts. Understanding these differences is essential for assessing the risk white-nose syndrome (WNS) poses to western bat populations. We used acoustic monitoring and radiotelemetry to study the overwintering behavior of little brown bats near Juneau, Alaska during 2011-2014. Our objectives were to identify the structures they use for hibernation, measure the microclimates within those structures, and determine the timing of immergence and emergence and the length of the hibernation season. We radiotracked 10 little brown bats to underground hibernacula dispersed along two ridge systems. All hibernacula were ≤ 24.2 km from where the bats were captured. Eight bats hibernated in the "Milieu Souterrain Superficiel" (MSS), a network of air-filled underground voids between the rock fragments found in scree (talus) deposits. Two bats hibernated in holes in the soil beneath the root system of a tree or stump (rootball). At least two hibernacula in the MSS were reused in subsequent years. Average MSS and rootball temperatures were warmer and more stable than ambient temperature and were well below the optimal growth range of the fungus that causes WNS. Temperatures in the MSS dropped below freezing, but MSS temperatures increased with depth, indicating bats could avoid subfreezing temperatures by moving deeper into the MSS. Relative humidity (RH) approached 100% in the MSS and under rootballs and was more stable than ambient RH, which also was high, but dropped substantially during periods of extreme cold. Acoustic monitoring revealed that bats hibernated by late October and began emerging by the second week of April; estimates of minimum length of the hibernation season ranged from 156 to 190 days. The cold temperatures, dispersed nature of the hibernacula, and close proximity of hibernacula to summering areas may slow the spread and reduce the impacts of WNS on local populations of little brown bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Blejwas
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Threatened, Endangered and Diversity Program, Juneau, AK, USA
| | - Grey W Pendleton
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Threatened, Endangered and Diversity Program, Juneau, AK, USA
| | - Michael L Kohan
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Threatened, Endangered and Diversity Program, Juneau, AK, USA
| | - Laura O Beard
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Threatened, Endangered and Diversity Program, Juneau, AK, USA
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16
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Meierhofer MB, Lilley TM, Ruokolainen L, Johnson JS, Parratt SR, Morrison ML, Pierce BL, Evans JW, Anttila J. Ten-year projection of white-nose syndrome disease dynamics at the southern leading-edge of infection in North America. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210719. [PMID: 34074117 PMCID: PMC8170204 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting the emergence and spread of infectious diseases is critical for the effective conservation of biodiversity. White-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease of bats, has resulted in high mortality in eastern North America. Because the fungal causative agent Pseudogymnoascus destructans is constrained by temperature and humidity, spread dynamics may vary by geography. Environmental conditions in the southern part of the continent are different than the northeast, where disease dynamics are typically studied, making it difficult to predict how the disease will manifest. Herein, we modelled WNS pathogen spread in Texas based on cave densities and average dispersal distances of hosts, projecting these results out to 10 years. We parameterized a predictive model of WNS epidemiology and its effects on bat populations with observed cave environmental data. Our model suggests that bat populations in northern Texas will be more affected by WNS mortality than southern Texas. As such, we recommend prioritizing the preservation of large overwintering colonies of bats in north Texas through management actions. Our model illustrates that infectious disease spread and infectious disease severity can become uncoupled over a gradient of environmental variation and highlight the importance of understanding host, pathogen and environmental conditions across a breadth of environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Meierhofer
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard, College Station, TX 77843, USA.,Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard, College Station, TX 77843, USA.,Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thomas M Lilley
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lasse Ruokolainen
- Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Yliopistonkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joseph S Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Steven R Parratt
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
| | - Michael L Morrison
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Brian L Pierce
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jonah W Evans
- Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, USA
| | - Jani Anttila
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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17
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Landscape Genetic Connectivity and Evidence for Recombination in the North American Population of the White-Nose Syndrome Pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7030182. [PMID: 33802538 PMCID: PMC8001231 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
White-Nose Syndrome is an ongoing fungal epizootic caused by epidermal infections of the fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (P. destructans), affecting hibernating bat species in North America. Emerging early in 2006 in New York State, infections of P. destructans have spread to 38 US States and seven Canadian Provinces. Since then, clonal isolates of P. destructans have accumulated genotypic and phenotypic variations in North America. Using microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism markers, we investigated the population structure and genetic relationships among P. destructans isolates from diverse regions in North America to understand its pattern of spread, and to test hypotheses about factors that contribute to transmission. We found limited support for genetic isolation of P. destructans populations by geographic distance, and instead identified evidence for gene flow among geographic regions. Interestingly, allelic association tests revealed evidence for recombination in the North American P. destructans population. Our landscape genetic analyses revealed that the population structure of P. destructans in North America was significantly influenced by anthropogenic impacts on the landscape. Our results have important implications for understanding the mechanism(s) of P. destructans spread.
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Abstract
The recent introduction of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome in bats) from Eurasia to North America has resulted in the collapse of North American bat populations and restructured species communities. The long evolutionary history between P. destructans and bats in Eurasia makes understanding host life history essential to uncovering the ecology of P. destructans. In this Review, we combine information on pathogen and host biology to understand the patterns of P. destructans spread, seasonal transmission ecology, the pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome and the cross-scale impact from individual hosts to ecosystems. Collectively, this research highlights how early pathogen detection and quantification of host impacts has accelerated the understanding of this newly emerging infectious disease.
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Urbina J, Chestnut T, Allen JM, Levi T. Pseudogymnoascus destructans growth in wood, soil and guano substrates. Sci Rep 2021; 11:763. [PMID: 33436940 PMCID: PMC7804951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80707-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how a pathogen can grow on different substrates and how this growth impacts its dispersal are critical to understanding the risks and control of emerging infectious diseases. Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in many bat species and can persist in, and transmit from, the environment. We experimentally evaluated Pd growth on common substrates to better understand mechanisms of pathogen persistence, transmission and viability. We inoculated autoclaved guano, fresh guano, soil, and wood with live Pd fungus and evaluated (1) whether Pd grows or persists on each (2) if spores of the fungus remain viable 4 months after inoculation on each substrate, and (3) whether detection and quantitation of Pd on swabs is sensitive to the choice to two commonly used DNA extraction kits. After inoculating each substrate with 460,000 Pd spores, we collected ~ 0.20 g of guano and soil, and swabs from wood every 16 days for 64 days to quantify pathogen load through time using real-time qPCR. We detected Pd on all substrates over the course of the experiment. We observed a tenfold increase in pathogen loads on autoclaved guano and persistence but not growth in fresh guano. Pathogen loads increased marginally on wood but declined ~ 60-fold in soil. After four months, apparently viable spores were harvested from all substrates but germination did not occur from fresh guano. We additionally found that detection and quantitation of Pd from swabs of wood surfaces is sensitive to the DNA extraction method. The commonly used PrepMan Ultra Reagent protocol yielded substantially less DNA than did the QIAGEN DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit. Notably the PrepMan Ultra Reagent failed to detect Pd in many wood swabs that were detected by QIAGEN and were subsequently found to contain substantial live conidia. Our results indicate that Pd can persist or even grow on common environmental substrates with results dependent on whether microbial competitors have been eliminated. Although we observed clear rapid declines in Pd on soil, viable spores were harvested four months after inoculation. These results suggest that environmental substrates and guano can in general serve as infectious environmental reservoirs due to long-term persistence, and even growth, of live Pd. This should inform management interventions to sanitize or modify structures to reduce transmission risk as well early detection rapid response (EDRR) planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Urbina
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2820 SW Campus Way, Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Tara Chestnut
- National Park Service, Mount Rainier National Park, Ashford, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Allen
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2820 SW Campus Way, Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2820 SW Campus Way, Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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20
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Haase CG, Fuller NW, Dzal YA, Hranac CR, Hayman DTS, Lausen CL, Silas KA, Olson SH, Plowright RK. Body mass and hibernation microclimate may predict bat susceptibility to white-nose syndrome. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:506-515. [PMID: 33437446 PMCID: PMC7790633 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In multihost disease systems, differences in mortality between species may reflect variation in host physiology, morphology, and behavior. In systems where the pathogen can persist in the environment, microclimate conditions, and the adaptation of the host to these conditions, may also impact mortality. White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emerging disease of hibernating bats caused by an environmentally persistent fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. We assessed the effects of body mass, torpid metabolic rate, evaporative water loss, and hibernaculum temperature and water vapor deficit on predicted overwinter survival of bats infected by P. destructans. We used a hibernation energetics model in an individual-based model framework to predict the probability of survival of nine bat species at eight sampling sites across North America. The model predicts time until fat exhaustion as a function of species-specific host characteristics, hibernaculum microclimate, and fungal growth. We fit a linear model to determine relationships with each variable and predicted survival and semipartial correlation coefficients to determine the major drivers in variation in bat survival. We found host body mass and hibernaculum water vapor deficit explained over half of the variation in survival with WNS across species. As previous work on the interplay between host and pathogen physiology and the environment has focused on species with narrow microclimate preferences, our view on this relationship is limited. Our results highlight some key predictors of interspecific survival among western bat species and provide a framework to assess impacts of WNS as the fungus continues to spread into western North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G. Haase
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State UniversityBozemanMTUSA
- Present address:
Department of BiologyAustin Peay State UniversityClarksvilleTNUSA
| | - Nathan W. Fuller
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTXUSA
- Present address:
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentNongame and Rare Species ProgramAustinTXUSA
| | - Yvonne A. Dzal
- Department of BiologyCentre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C‐FIR)University of WinnipegWinnipegMBCanada
| | - C. Reed Hranac
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health LaboratoryMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - David T. S. Hayman
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health LaboratoryMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Raina K. Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State UniversityBozemanMTUSA
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21
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McClure ML, Crowley D, Haase CG, McGuire LP, Fuller NW, Hayman DTS, Lausen CL, Plowright RK, Dickson BG, Olson SH. Linking surface and subterranean climate: implications for the study of hibernating bats and other cave dwellers. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith L. McClure
- Conservation Science Partners 11050 Pioneer Trail Suite 202 Truckee California96161USA
| | - Daniel Crowley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Montana State University 109 Lewis Hall Bozeman Montana59717USA
| | - Catherine G. Haase
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Montana State University 109 Lewis Hall Bozeman Montana59717USA
| | - Liam P. McGuire
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University 2901 Main Street Lubbock Texas79409USA
| | - Nathan W. Fuller
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University 2901 Main Street Lubbock Texas79409USA
| | - David T. S. Hayman
- mEpiLab Hopkirk Research Institute Massey University Palmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Cori L. Lausen
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada Kaslo British ColumbiaV0G 1M0Canada
| | - Raina K. Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Montana State University 109 Lewis Hall Bozeman Montana59717USA
| | - Brett G. Dickson
- Conservation Science Partners 11050 Pioneer Trail Suite 202 Truckee California96161USA
- Landscape Conservation Initiative School of Earth and Sustainability Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Arizona86001USA
| | - Sarah H. Olson
- Wildlife Conservation Society Health Program Bronx New York10460USA
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22
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Veselská T, Homutová K, García Fraile P, Kubátová A, Martínková N, Pikula J, Kolařík M. Comparative eco-physiology revealed extensive enzymatic curtailment, lipases production and strong conidial resilience of the bat pathogenic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16530. [PMID: 33020524 PMCID: PMC7536203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73619-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Pseudogymnoascus encompasses soil psychrophilic fungi living also in caves. Some are opportunistic pathogens; nevertheless, they do not cause outbreaks. Pseudogymnoascus destructans is the causative agent of the white-nose syndrome, which is decimating cave-hibernating bats. We used comparative eco-physiology to contrast the enzymatic potential and conidial resilience of P. destructans with that of phylogenetically diverse cave fungi, including Pseudogymnoascus spp., dermatophytes and outdoor saprotrophs. Enzymatic potential was assessed by Biolog MicroArray and by growth on labelled substrates and conidial viability was detected by flow cytometry. Pseudogymnoascus destructans was specific by extensive losses of metabolic variability and by ability of lipid degradation. We suppose that lipases are important enzymes allowing fungal hyphae to digest and invade the skin. Pseudogymnoascus destructans prefers nitrogenous substrates occurring in bat skin and lipids. Additionally, P. destructans alkalizes growth medium, which points to another possible virulence mechanism. Temperature above 30 °C substantially decreases conidial viability of cave fungi including P. destructans. Nevertheless, survival of P. destructans conidia prolongs by the temperature regime simulating beginning of the flight season, what suggests that conidia could persist on the body surface of bats and contribute to disease spreading during bats active season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Veselská
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Vídeňská 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 12801, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Homutová
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Vídeňská 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paula García Fraile
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Vídeňská 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Kubátová
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 12801, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Natália Martínková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Květná 8, 60365, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Pikula
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého třída 1946/1, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Kolařík
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Vídeňská 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Hartman CJ, Mester JC, Hare PM, Cohen AI. Novel inactivation of the causative fungal pathogen of white-nose syndrome with methoxsalen plus ultraviolet A or B radiation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239001. [PMID: 32915896 PMCID: PMC7485863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease responsible for the rapid decline of North American bat populations. This study addressed a novel method for inactivating Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of WNS, using ultraviolet A (UVA) or B (UVB) radiation in combination with methoxsalen, a photosensitizer from the furanocoumarin family of compounds. Fungal spore suspensions were diluted in micromolar concentrations of methoxsalen (50–500 μM), then exposed to fixed doses of UVA radiation (500–5000 mJ/cm2), followed by plating on germination media. These plates were examined for two to four weeks for evidence of spore germination or inactivation, along with resultant growth or inhibition of P. destructans colonies. Pretreatment of fungal spores with low doses of methoxsalen resulted in a UVA dose-dependent inactivation of the P. destructans spores. All doses of methoxsalen paired with 500 mJ/cm2 of UVA led to an approximate two-log10 (~99%) reduction in spore viability, and when paired with 1000 mJ/cm2, a four-log10 or greater (>99.99%) reduction in spore viability was observed. Additionally, actively growing P. destructans colonies treated directly with methoxsalen and either UVA or UVB radiation demonstrated UV dose-dependent inhibition and termination of colony growth. This novel approach of using a photosensitizer in combination with UV radiation to control fungal growth may have broad, practical application in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J. Hartman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Joseph C. Mester
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Patrick M. Hare
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Alan I. Cohen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States of America
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24
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Genome-Wide Changes in Genetic Diversity in a Population of Myotis lucifugus Affected by White-Nose Syndrome. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:2007-2020. [PMID: 32276959 PMCID: PMC7263666 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Novel pathogens can cause massive declines in populations, and even extirpation of hosts. But disease can also act as a selective pressure on survivors, driving the evolution of resistance or tolerance. Bat white-nose syndrome (WNS) is a rapidly spreading wildlife disease in North America. The fungus causing the disease invades skin tissues of hibernating bats, resulting in disruption of hibernation behavior, premature energy depletion, and subsequent death. We used whole-genome sequencing to investigate changes in allele frequencies within a population of Myotis lucifugus in eastern North America to search for genetic resistance to WNS. Our results show low FST values within the population across time, i.e., prior to WNS (Pre-WNS) compared to the population that has survived WNS (Post-WNS). However, when dividing the population with a geographical cut-off between the states of Pennsylvania and New York, a sharp increase in values on scaffold GL429776 is evident in the Post-WNS samples. Genes present in the diverged area are associated with thermoregulation and promotion of brown fat production. Thus, although WNS may not have subjected the entire M. lucifugus population to selective pressure, it may have selected for specific alleles in Pennsylvania through decreased gene flow within the population. However, the persistence of remnant sub-populations in the aftermath of WNS is likely due to multiple factors in bat life history.
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Haase CG, Fuller NW, Hranac CR, Hayman DTS, McGuire LP, Norquay KJO, Silas KA, Willis CKR, Plowright RK, Olson SH. Incorporating evaporative water loss into bioenergetic models of hibernation to test for relative influence of host and pathogen traits on white-nose syndrome. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222311. [PMID: 31671100 PMCID: PMC6822741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hibernation consists of extended durations of torpor interrupted by periodic arousals. The ‘dehydration hypothesis’ proposes that hibernating mammals arouse to replenish water lost through evaporation during torpor. Arousals are energetically expensive, and increased arousal frequency can alter survival throughout hibernation. Yet we lack a means to assess the effect of evaporative water loss (EWL), determined by animal physiology and hibernation microclimate, on torpor bout duration and subsequent survival. White-nose syndrome (WNS), a devastating disease impacting hibernating bats, causes increased frequency of arousals during hibernation and EWL has been hypothesized to contribute to this increased arousal frequency. WNS is caused by a fungus, which grows well in humid hibernaculum environments and damages wing tissue important for water conservation. Here, we integrated the effect of EWL on torpor expression in a hibernation energetics model, including the effects of fungal infection, to determine the link between EWL and survival. We collected field data for Myotis lucifugus, a species that experiences high mortality from WNS, to gather parameters for the model. In saturating conditions, we predicted healthy bats experience minimal mortality. Infected bats, however, suffer high fungal growth in highly saturated environments, leading to exhaustion of fat stores before spring. Our results suggest that host adaptation to humid environments leads to increased arousal frequency from infection, which drives mortality across hibernaculum conditions. Our modified hibernation model provides a tool to assess the interplay between host physiology, hibernaculum microclimate, and diseases such as WNS on winter survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G. Haase
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nathan W. Fuller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - C. Reed Hranac
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - David T. S. Hayman
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Liam P. McGuire
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Kirk A. Silas
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Health Program, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Raina K. Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Sarah H. Olson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Health Program, Bronx, New York, United States of America
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27
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Kramer AM, Teitelbaum CS, Griffin A, Drake JM. Multiscale model of regional population decline in little brown bats due to white-nose syndrome. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8639-8651. [PMID: 31410268 PMCID: PMC6686297 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduced fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans is causing decline of several species of bats in North America, with some even at risk of extinction or extirpation. The severity of the epidemic of white-nose syndrome caused by P. destructans has prompted investigation of the transmission and virulence of infection at multiple scales, but linking these scales is necessary to quantify the mechanisms of transmission and assess population-scale declines.We built a model connecting within-hibernaculum disease dynamics of little brown bats to regional-scale dispersal, reproduction, and disease spread, including multiple plausible mechanisms of transmission.We parameterized the model using the approach of plausible parameter sets, by comparing stochastic simulation results to statistical probes from empirical data on within-hibernaculum prevalence and survival, as well as among-hibernacula spread across a region.Our results are consistent with frequency-dependent transmission between bats, support an important role of environmental transmission, and show very little effect of dispersal among colonies on metapopulation survival.The results help identify the influential parameters and largest sources of uncertainty. The model also offers a generalizable method to assess hypotheses about hibernaculum-to-hibernaculum transmission and to identify gaps in knowledge about key processes, and could be expanded to include additional mechanisms or bat species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Kramer
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | | | - Ashton Griffin
- Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - John M. Drake
- Odum School of Ecology and Center for Ecology of Infectious DiseasesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
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28
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Meierhofer MB, Leivers SJ, Fern RR, Wolf LK, Young JH, Pierce BL, Evans JW, Morrison ML. Structural and environmental predictors of presence and abundance of tri-colored bats in Texas culverts. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) is being reviewed for listing under the Endangered Species Act by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It is also listed as a species of greatest conservation need by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department due to its susceptibility to white-nose syndrome (WNS) in other states. Several colonies of hibernating tri-colored bats have been documented roosting in culverts. Culverts are widespread in Texas as part of roadway infrastructure; thus, our objective was to understand and quantify which structural and environmental factors best explain culvert use and abundance of hibernating tri-colored bats in Texas. We selected and surveyed 207 culverts for presence of tri-colored bats using the Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified (GRTS) design and opportunistic sampling across 10 of 12 Texas level III ecoregions during the winters of 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. We recorded environmental and structural features of culverts at each site. We used a zero-inflated Poisson regression to identify which culvert features best explained presence and abundance of hibernating tri-colored bats. We found that number of culvert sections predicted presence of tri-colored bats. We also found that abundance of tri-colored bats was influenced by length of culvert, elevation, number of sections, portal height, portal obstruction, aspect, external VPD, external temperature, and NDVI. With the current threats to tri-colored bat populations, there is a need to consider management of culvert roosts. In addition, it is imperative to further investigate the potential susceptibility to WNS of culvert-roosting bats at more southern latitudes for local and regional planning efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Meierhofer
- Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Samantha J Leivers
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rachel R Fern
- Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lilianna K Wolf
- Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - John H Young
- Environmental Affairs Division, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Brian L Pierce
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jonah W Evans
- Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Boerne, TX, USA
| | - Michael L Morrison
- Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
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29
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Neubaum DJ. Unsuspected retreats: autumn transitional roosts and presumed winter hibernacula of little brown myotis in Colorado. J Mammal 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Neubaum
- Terrestrial Section, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Independent Avenue, Grand Junction, CO, USA
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30
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Phenotypic Divergence along Geographic Gradients Reveals Potential for Rapid Adaptation of the White-Nose Syndrome Pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, in North America. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.00863-18. [PMID: 29915107 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00863-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an ongoing epizootic affecting multiple species of North American bats, caused by epidermal infections of the psychrophilic filamentous fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans Since its introduction from Europe, WNS has spread rapidly across eastern North America and resulted in high mortality rates in bats. At present, the mechanisms behind its spread and the extent of its adaptation to different geographic and ecological niches remain unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the geographic patterns of phenotypic variation and the potential evidence for adaptation among strains representing broad geographic locations in eastern North America. The morphological features of these strains were evaluated on artificial medium, and the viability of asexual arthroconidia of representative strains was investigated after storage at high (23°C), moderate (14°C), and low (4°C) temperatures at different lengths of time. Our analyses identified evidence for a geographic pattern of colony morphology changes among the clonal descendants of the fungus, with trait values correlated with increased distance from the epicenter of WNS. Our genomic comparisons of three representative isolates revealed novel genetic polymorphisms and suggested potential candidate mutations that might be related to some of the phenotypic changes. These results show that even though this pathogen arrived in North America only recently and reproduces asexually, there has been substantial evolution and phenotypic diversification during its rapid clonal expansion.IMPORTANCE The causal agent of white-nose syndrome in bats is Pseudogymnoascus destructans, a filamentous fungus recently introduced from its native range in Europe. Infections caused by P. destructans have progressed across the eastern parts of Canada and the United States over the last 10 years. It is not clear how the disease is spread, as the pathogen is unable to grow above 23°C and ambient temperature can act as a barrier when hosts disperse. Here, we explore the patterns of phenotypic diversity and the germination of the fungal asexual spores, arthroconidia, from strains across a sizeable area of the epizootic range. Our analyses revealed evidence of adaptation along geographic gradients during its expansion. The results have implications for understanding the diversification of P. destructans and the limits of WNS spread in North America. Given the rapidly expanding distribution of WNS, a detailed understanding of the genetic bases for phenotypic variations in growth, reproduction, and dispersal of P. destructans is urgently needed to help control this disease.
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31
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Lilley TM, Anttila J, Ruokolainen L. Landscape structure and ecology influence the spread of a bat fungal disease. Funct Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Lilley
- Institute of Integrative BiologyUniversity of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Finnish Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Jani Anttila
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
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32
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Kovacova V, Zukal J, Bandouchova H, Botvinkin AD, Harazim M, Martínková N, Orlov OL, Piacek V, Shumkina AP, Tiunov MP, Pikula J. White-nose syndrome detected in bats over an extensive area of Russia. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:192. [PMID: 29914485 PMCID: PMC6007069 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1521-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spatiotemporal distribution patterns are important infectious disease epidemiological characteristics that improve our understanding of wild animal population health. The skin infection caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans emerged as a panzootic disease in bats of the northern hemisphere. However, the infection status of bats over an extensive geographic area of the Russian Federation has remained understudied. Results We examined bats at the geographic limits of bat hibernation in the Palearctic temperate zone and found bats with white-nose syndrome (WNS) on the European slopes of the Ural Mountains through the Western Siberian Plain, Central Siberia and on to the Far East. We identified the diagnostic symptoms of WNS based on histopathology in the Northern Ural region at 11° (about 1200 km) higher latitude than the current northern limit in the Nearctic. While body surface temperature differed between regions, bats at all study sites hibernated in very cold conditions averaging 3.6 °C. Each region also differed in P. destructans fungal load and the number of UV fluorescent skin lesions indicating skin damage intensity. Myotis bombinus, M. gracilis and Murina hilgendorfi were newly confirmed with histopathological symptoms of WNS. Prevalence of UV-documented WNS ranged between 16 and 76% in species of relevant sample size. Conclusions To conclude, the bat pathogen P. destructans is widely present in Russian hibernacula but infection remains at low intensity, despite the high exposure rate. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1521-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kovacova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Zukal
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Bandouchova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander D Botvinkin
- Irkutsk State Medical University, Krasnogo Vosstania street 1, Irkutsk, Russian Federation, 664003
| | - Markéta Harazim
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Natália Martínková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Masaryk University, Kamenice 126/3, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Oleg L Orlov
- International Complex Research Laboratory for Study of Climate Change, Land Use and Biodiversity, Tyumen State University, Volodarckogo 6, 625003, Tyumen, Russia.,Department of Biochemistry, Ural State Medical University, Repina 3, 620014, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir Piacek
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra P Shumkina
- Western Baikal protected areas, Federal State Budgetary Institution "Zapovednoe Pribaikalye", Baikalskaya st. 291B, 664050, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail P Tiunov
- Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr-t 100-letiya Vladivostoka 159, 690022, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Jiri Pikula
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
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33
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Donaldson ME, Davy CM, Vanderwolf KJ, Willis CKR, Saville BJ, Kyle CJ. Growth medium and incubation temperature alter the Pseudogymnoascus destructans transcriptome: implications in identifying virulence factors. Mycologia 2018; 110:300-315. [PMID: 29737946 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2018.1438223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pseudogymnoascus destructans is the causal agent of bat white-nose syndrome (WNS), which is devastating some North American bat populations. Previous transcriptome studies provided insight regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in WNS; however, it is unclear how different environmental parameters could influence pathogenicity. This information could be useful in developing management strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of P. destructans on bats. We cultured three P. destructans isolates from Atlantic Canada on two growth media (potato dextrose agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar) that differ in their nitrogen source, and at two separate incubation temperatures (4 C and 15 C) that approximate the temperature range of bat hibernacula during the winter and a temperature within its optimal mycelial growth range. We conducted RNA sequencing to determine transcript levels in each sample and performed differential gene expression (DGE) analyses to test the influence of growth medium and incubation temperature on gene expression. We also compared our in vitro results with previous RNA-sequencing data sets generated from P. destructans growing on the wings of a susceptible host, Myotis lucifugus. Our findings point to a critical role for substrate and incubation temperature in influencing the P. destructans transcriptome. DGE analyses suggested that growth medium plays a larger role than temperature in determining P. destructans gene expression and that although the psychrophilic fungus responds to different nitrogen sources, it may have evolved for continued growth at a broad range of low temperatures. Further, our data suggest that down-regulation of the RNA-interference pathway and increased fatty acid metabolism are involved in the P. destructans-bat interaction. Finally, we speculate that to reduce the activation of host defense responses, P. destructans minimizes changes in the expression of genes encoding secreted proteins during bat colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Donaldson
- a Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program , Trent University , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough , Ontario , K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - Christina M Davy
- a Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program , Trent University , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough , Ontario , K9L 1Z8, Canada.,b Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section , Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough , Ontario , K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - Karen J Vanderwolf
- c New Brunswick Museum , 277 Douglas Avenue, Saint John , New Brunswick , E2K 1E5, Canada.,d Department of Pathobiological Sciences , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 2015 Linden Drive, Madison , Wisconsin 53706
| | - Craig K R Willis
- e Department of Biology , University of Winnipeg , 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg , Manitoba , R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Barry J Saville
- a Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program , Trent University , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough , Ontario , K9L 1Z8, Canada.,f Forensic Science Department , Trent University , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough , Ontario, K9L 1Z8 , Canada
| | - Christopher J Kyle
- a Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program , Trent University , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough , Ontario , K9L 1Z8, Canada.,f Forensic Science Department , Trent University , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough , Ontario, K9L 1Z8 , Canada
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