Will reduced host connectivity curb the spread of a devastating epidemic?
Eric J Petit1, Sebastien J Puechmaille2,3
1INRA, Agrocampus-Ouest, UMR Ecologie et Santé des Ecosystèmes, 65 rue de St-Brieuc, 35042 Rennes cedex, France.
Molecular Ecology
|January 16, 2016
Summary
White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease, devastates North American bats. Host population connectivity, not just cave density, influences WNS spread, predicting slower expansion west of the Great Plains.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Pathogen Biology
- Conservation Science
Background:
- White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has rapidly decimated bat populations in North America since 2006.
- Current epidemiological models predict WNS will reach the western USA by 2035, threatening numerous bat species.
- Previous models relied on cave density and climate, but did not fully account for host population dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To refine WNS spread predictions by incorporating host population connectivity.
- To assess the role of population genetics in the epidemiological spread of WNS.
- To provide a more accurate forecast of WNS progression across North America.
Main Methods:
- Utilized population genetic markers to assess connectivity among bat populations.
- Integrated genetic data with existing epidemiological models of WNS.
- Analyzed spatial patterns of disease spread in relation to host genetic structure.
Main Results:
- Host population connectivity is a critical factor influencing the rate and pattern of WNS spread.
- Reduced connectivity in western North America suggests a slower disease progression compared to the East.
- Genetic markers reveal distinct population structures that impact pathogen transmission dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Population connectivity significantly modifies WNS spread dynamics, offering a more nuanced prediction.
- The western USA may experience a slower WNS epidemic due to lower bat population connectivity.
- Understanding host-pathogen interactions through genetic connectivity is vital for bat conservation efforts.
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