PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PSEUDOGYMNOASCUS DESTRUCTANS IN MICHIGAN BATS SUBMITTED FOR RABIES SURVEILLANCE
Samantha L Darling1, Ailam Lim1,2, Julie R Melotti3
11 College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
Abstract:
Since 2006, bat populations in North America have suffered devastating mortality from an emerging disease known as white-nose syndrome (WNS). The causal agent of WNS is the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. In April 2014, WNS was discovered in little brown bats ( Myotis lucifugus ) in Michigan, US, and has since been documented in 12 counties. Because current surveillance for WNS focuses primarily on mine-hibernating species in winter, it is subject to geographic, species, and seasonal bias. To investigate species affected and potential associations of gender, seasonal life cycle, and region with P. destructans prevalence, 1,040 rabies-negative bats were sampled from May 2014 to May 2015 from animals submitted as part of statewide rabies surveillance. The vast majority (96%) of the sample population consisted of big brown bats ( Eptesicus fuscus ), a noncavernicolous species. Two methods were used to detect P. destructans: fluorescence of the muzzle, wing, and tail membranes under ultraviolet light and PCR targeting genomic DNA on wing samples. Only five bats (0.5%), all M. lucifugus , were confirmed positive after nucleic acid sequencing of PCR amplicons. No other species were infected. All infected bats were collected from April to May, coinciding with their emergence from hibernation. As P. destructans and WNS spread westward, novel surveillance streams may provide a useful tool for wildlife management agencies seeking to detect the fungus where winter hibernacula such as caves and mines are absent or otherwise inaccessible.
Insights
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a deadly fungal disease affecting North American bats. New surveillance methods detected the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans in little brown bats emerging from hibernation.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife disease ecology
- Mycology
- Bat conservation
Background:
- White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has decimated bat populations across North America since 2006.
- Traditional WNS surveillance relies on winter monitoring of hibernating species in mines, creating biases in geographic, species, and seasonal detection.
- WNS was first detected in Michigan's little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) in April 2014.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate species affected by Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
- To explore associations between gender, seasonal life cycle, and region with P. destructans prevalence.
- To evaluate alternative surveillance methods for detecting P. destructans in bats, especially where traditional hibernacula are absent.
Main Methods:
- Collected 1,040 rabies-negative bats from May 2014 to May 2015 as part of statewide rabies surveillance.
- Primarily sampled big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) (96%), a non-cave-hibernating species, alongside other bats.
- Utilized UV light fluorescence and PCR on wing samples to detect P. destructans, followed by nucleic acid sequencing.
Main Results:
- Only five bats (0.5%), all Myotis lucifugus, tested positive for P. destructans.
- Infection was confirmed in bats sampled between April and May, coinciding with their emergence from hibernation.
- No other bat species in the sample were found to be infected.
Conclusions:
- Non-traditional surveillance streams, like those used in this study, can detect P. destructans, particularly in species and regions not typically monitored.
- Early spring surveillance upon bat emergence may be crucial for identifying P. destructans presence.
- These methods offer valuable tools for wildlife management agencies tracking fungal spread, especially in areas lacking accessible winter hibernacula.
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