Tuesday, May 07, 2013

INHS Research Spotlight: White-Nose Syndrome of Bats in Illinois




White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), a devastating disease of cave- and mine-hibernating bats, is caused by the fungus Geomyces destructans.  The disease was discovered in 2006 in New York state, and has since been spreading to encompass many of the important bat hibernacula of the northeastern United States.  The disease has continued to spread, with recently confirmed WNS sites in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri.

Bats roosting in a southern Illinois hibernaculum, February 2012. Photo by Steve Taylor / University of Illinois.
Bats roosting in a southern Illinois hibernaculum, February 2012. Photo by Steve Taylor / Prairie Research Institute.

Map of White-Nose Syndrome spread across North America

wns_map_05-03-13.jpg

WNS has now been confirmed from four Illinois counties.


White-Nose Syndrome Research at the University of Illinois

Opportunities for studying North American fungal/microbial communities both on bats and in a variety of cave habitats prior to the arrival of WNS are diminishing.  In Illinois, we found ourselves just beyond the leading edge of where WNS had been suspected and confirmed, and were able to secure funding that capitalizes on our geographical position, allowing us to develop data on fungal and microbial communities before and (should WNS be confirmed in Illinois, as is anticipated) after invasion....read more

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