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Simonis MC, Hartzler LK, Turner GG, Scafini MR, Johnson JS, Rúa MA. Capture rates of Eptesicus fuscus increase following white-nose syndrome across the eastern US. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11523. [PMID: 38932974 PMCID: PMC11199122 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases threaten wildlife globally. While the effects of infectious diseases on hosts with severe infections and high mortality rates often receive considerable attention, effects on hosts that persist despite infection are less frequently studied. To understand how persisting host populations change in the face of disease, we quantified changes to the capture rates of Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bats), a persisting species susceptible to infection by the invasive fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd; causative agent for white-nose syndrome), across the eastern US using a 30-year dataset. Capture rates of male and female E. fuscus increased from preinvasion to pathogen establishment years, with greater increases to the capture rates of females than males. Among females, capture rates of pregnant and post-lactating females increased by pathogen establishment. We outline potential mechanisms for these broad demographic changes in E. fuscus capture rates (i.e., increases to foraging from energy deficits created by Pd infection, increases to relative abundance, or changes to reproductive cycles), and suggest future research for identifying mechanisms for increasing capture rates across the eastern US. These data highlight the importance of understanding how populations of persisting host species change following pathogen invasion across a broad spatial scale. Understanding changes to population composition following pathogen invasion can identify broad ecological patterns across space and time, and open new avenues for research to identify drivers of those patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C. Simonis
- Environmental Sciences PhD ProgramWright State UniversityDaytonOhioUSA
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of OklahomaNormanOklahomaUSA
| | - Lynn K. Hartzler
- Environmental Sciences PhD ProgramWright State UniversityDaytonOhioUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesWright State UniversityDaytonOhioUSA
| | - Gregory G. Turner
- Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife ManagementHarrisburgPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Michael R. Scafini
- Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife ManagementHarrisburgPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Joseph S. Johnson
- School of Information TechnologyUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Megan A. Rúa
- Environmental Sciences PhD ProgramWright State UniversityDaytonOhioUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesWright State UniversityDaytonOhioUSA
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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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Perry RW, Jordan PN. Changes in the Forest Bat Community After Arrival of White-Nose Syndrome in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. SOUTHEAST NAT 2022. [DOI: 10.1656/058.021.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roger W. Perry
- USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Hot Springs AR 71902
| | - Phillip N. Jordan
- USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Hot Springs AR 71902
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Summer Populations of Northern Long-eared Bat in an Eastern Kentucky Forest Following Arrival of White-nose Syndrome. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-187.1.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Balzer EW, Grottoli AD, Phinney LJ, Burns LE, Vanderwolf KJ, Broders HG. Capture Rate Declines of Northern Myotis in the Canadian Maritimes. WILDLIFE SOC B 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Evan W. Balzer
- University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo ON N2L 3G2 Canada
| | - Adam D. Grottoli
- University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo ON N2L 3G2 Canada
| | - Lori J. Phinney
- University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo ON N2L 3G2 Canada
| | - Lynne E. Burns
- Environment and Climate Change Canada 11455 Saskatchewan Avenue Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
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Bombaci SP, Russell RE, St. Germain MJ, Dobony CA, Ford WM, Loeb SC, Jachowski DS. Context dependency of disease‐mediated competitive release in bat assemblages following white‐nose syndrome. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sara P. Bombaci
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Robin E. Russell
- U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center 6006 Schroeder Road Madison Wisconsin 53711 USA
| | | | - Christopher A. Dobony
- Fort Drum Military Installation Natural Resources Branch IMNE‐DRM‐PWE Building T‐4848 Delahanty Avenue Fort Drum New York 13602 USA
| | - W. Mark Ford
- U.S. Geological Survey Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Blacksburg Virginia 24061 USA
| | - Susan C. Loeb
- U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station Clemson South Carolina 29634 USA
| | - David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29631 USA
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Johnson C, Brown DJ, Sanders C, Stihler CW. Long-term changes in occurrence, relative abundance, and reproductive fitness of bat species in relation to arrival of White-nose Syndrome in West Virginia, USA. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:12453-12467. [PMID: 34594512 PMCID: PMC8462164 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans which has resulted in the deaths of millions of bats across eastern North America. To date, hibernacula counts have been the predominant means of tracking the spread and impact of this disease on bat populations. However, an understanding of the impacts of WNS on demographic parameters outside the winter season is critical to conservation and recovery of bat populations impacted by this disease. We used long-term monitoring data to examine WNS-related impacts to summer populations in West Virginia, where WNS has been documented since 2009. Using capture data from 290 mist-net sites surveyed from 2003 to 2019 on the Monongahela National Forest, we estimated temporal patterns in presence and relative abundance for each bat species. For species that exhibited a population-level response to WNS, we investigated post-WNS changes in adult female reproductive state and body mass. Myotis lucifugus (little brown bat), M. septentrionalis (northern long-eared bat), and Perimyotis subflavus (tri-colored bat) all showed significant decreases in presence and relative abundance during and following the introduction of WNS, while Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) and Lasiurus borealis (eastern red bat) responded positively during the WNS invasion. Probability of being reproductively active was not significantly different for any species, though a shift to earlier reproduction was estimated for E. fuscus and M. septentrionalis. For some species, body mass appeared to be influenced by the WNS invasion, but the response differed by species and reproductive state. Results suggest that continued long-term monitoring studies, additional research into impacts of this disease on the fitness of WNS survivors, and a focus on providing optimal nonwintering habitat may be valuable strategies for assessing and promoting recovery of WNS-affected bat populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Johnson
- Monongahela National ForestU.S. Forest ServiceElkinsWest VirginiaUSA
- Region 1National Park ServiceNarragansettRhode IslandUSA
| | - Donald J. Brown
- School of Natural ResourcesWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Northern Research StationU.S.D.A. Forest ServiceParsonsWest VirginiaUSA
| | | | - Craig W. Stihler
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (retired)ElkinsWest VirginiaUSA
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Faure‐Lacroix J, Desrochers A, Imbeau L, Simard A. Long-term changes in bat activity in Quebec suggest climatic responses and summer niche partitioning associated with white-nose syndrome. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5226-5239. [PMID: 32607146 PMCID: PMC7319131 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In North America, the greatest and most sudden threat to hibernating bats is white-nose syndrome (WNS), which has caused massive declines in populations since 2006. Other determinants of bat dynamics, such as the climate, and the effect of reduction in the number of individuals sharing foraging space and summer roosting habitat may have an effect on population dynamics. We analyzed transect acoustic bat surveys conducted with ultrasonic detectors in 16 regions in Quebec, Canada, between 2000 and 2015. We used piecewise regression to describe changes in activity over time for each species and a meta-analytic approach to measure its association with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). As expected, mouse-eared bat (Myotis spp.) activity sharply declined after the onset of WNS, down by 79% after 3 years. In contrast, big brown/silver-haired bat activity increased over the same period, possibly due to a release of competition. Hoary bats and red bats remained present, although their activity did not increase. Myotis activity was positively correlated with a one-year lag to the NAO index, associated with cold conditions in winter, but warm autumns. Big brown/silver-haired and hoary bats were also more active during NAO-positive years but without a lag. We conclude that combinations of threats may create rapid shifts in community compositions and that a more balanced research agenda that integrates a wider range of threats would help better understand and manage those changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Faure‐Lacroix
- Centre d'étude de la forêtFaculté de foresteriede géographie et de géomatiqueUniversité LavalQuébec CityQCCanada
| | - André Desrochers
- Centre d'étude de la forêtFaculté de foresteriede géographie et de géomatiqueUniversité LavalQuébec CityQCCanada
| | - Louis Imbeau
- Centre d'étude de la forêtUQATRouyn‐NorandaQCCanada
| | - Anouk Simard
- Ministère des Forêts de la Faune et des Parc du QuébecQuebec Centre for Biodiversity ScienceQuébec CityQCCanada
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Rapid Biodiversity Sampling for Bat Assemblages in Northwestern Nevada. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.3996/022019-jfwm-009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Bat (Chiroptera) assemblages in the western North America remain understudied despite their importance to ecosystem function and vulnerability to multiple anthropogenic stressors. We present the first large-scale survey that we are aware of for bat fauna in the Black Rock Plateau of northwestern Nevada in the northern Great Basin Desert. We conducted surveys using both acoustic and mist net methods, documenting 14 species across 19 sites sampled during a four-night period in August 2016. We surveyed over water sources, usually surrounded by cliff and canyon habitat, and in salt desert scrub, sagebrush, and woodland habitats, detecting multiple sensitive bat species (spotted bat Euderma maculatum, little brown bat Myotis lucifugus, canyon bat Parastrellus hesperus) in the canyon habitats of the High Rock region. We analyzed regional species diversity and present the utility of using multiple detection methods to enhance understanding of Chiroptera biodiversity at both local and regional scales. Our results demonstrate the utility of “BioBlitz” approaches in documenting local and regional diversity and provide insight into areas with species assemblages or vulnerable species. Knowledge of these sites is increasingly important for future disease surveillance and population monitoring.
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Teets KD, Loeb SC, Jachowski DS. Detection Probability of Bats Using Active Versus Passive Monitoring. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2019. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2019.21.1.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine D. Teets
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Susan C. Loeb
- USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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11
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Nystrom GS, Bennett VJ. The importance of residential swimming pools as an urban water source for bats. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Victoria J Bennett
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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12
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Perry RW. Migration and recent range expansion of Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus) in the United States. J Mammal 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy135] [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)
- Roger W Perry
- Southern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, Hot Springs, AR, USA
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