White-nose Syndrome Update for 2019

Jeremy T. H. Coleman (et al.)National WNS CoordinatorUS Fish and Wildlife ServiceNMFWA Bat Working GroupDenver, Colorado – 6 March 2019

§ Continued spread in North America§ 33 states and 7 provinces confirmed § Evidence of causative fungus in 3 add’l states§ Surveillance and monitoring in Mexico and S. Am.

§ Caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd)

§ Management:§ Actions have focused on containment and conservation§ Multiple treatment options under investigation§ Focus on innovation

Overview of WNS

Al Hicks, NYSDEC

WNS Occurrence in North America – 1 October 2018

USGS, Fort Collins Science Center

11 Bat Species Confirmed with WNS in N. America

Tri-colored batBig brown bat

Small-footed myotis

Little brown myotisNorthern long-eared myotis*

Gray myotis*

Indiana myotis*

Yuma myotis

Southeastern myotisLong-legged myotis

Cave bat

Six Species Pd Positive in N. America (8)

Silver-haired Bat(Lasionycteris noctivagans)

Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat(Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus)*

(Corynorhinus townsendii ingens)*(Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii)

Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii)

Photos: Merlin Tuttle, Bat Conservation International

Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)

Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)

Western small-footed bat(Myotis ciliolabrum)

§ Data from 149 hibernacula with 2+ years mortality/WNS§ CT, MA, MD, PA, NC, NH, NJ, NY, QC, WV, VT

§ Winter surveys reveal variable declines among species

§ These trends have been observed through the Midwest

Documented Population Declines

SpeciesTotal change

2014Little brown -87%

Northern -96%

Tricolored -75%

Indiana -32%

Big brown -25%

Total -82% J. Coleman, USFWS

Frick et al. 2010

Pd came to US from Eurasia

Hoyt et al. (2017)Puechmaille et al. (2011)

Pd origin

Causes of MortalityAssociated signs:• Increased arousal freq.

- Starvation- Predation

• Wing damage & homeostasis– Dehydration– Circulation & respiration– Thermoregulation

Cryan et al., 2010

Normal

WNS

Warnecke et al. 2012

High occurrence of scarred and necrotic wings at summer colonies near affected hibernacula

Damaged Flight Membranes

Hope for Survivors

- Damaged wings can heal- Bats are persisting post-WNS

Fuller et al. 2011Frick et al. 2017

Survivor study Little Brown Recaptures in MA, NH, and VT

Reichard et al. 2014.

Mechanisms of Persistence

Body fatCheng et al. 2019, J. Animal Ecology

Arousal frequency & durationLilley et al. 2016, Frontiers in Zoology

Evolutionary RescueMaslo and Fefferman 2015, Conservation Biology

Fungal loadLangwig et al. 2017, Phil. Trans. Royal Society B

Mechanisms of Persistence

Purpose:To guide the response of Federal, State, and Tribal agencies, and partners to WNS• Integrates with State and regional

WNS plans

US National Plan

Managing WNS: National & State Plans

Canadian National PlanPurpose:To organize Canada’s response to WNS, in collaboration with the US plan

A strategic approach to disease management

Goal: Defeat WNS and recover bat populations…

Spatially and ecologically specific approach:

• Address the leading edge – vaccine,

probiotics, antifungals, UV light;

• Defend the WNS-free area –

containment (decontamination);

• Save our Survivors – management

guidance for rehabilitation, wildlife

conflict, transportation, forestry

Decision Analysis ProjectUSGS, USFWS

1. Prioritizing research to maximize funding for WNS treatment and management tools

2. Assisting state partners in their decisions on WNS management and response

A. Conceptual model of the WNS disease system

B. Situation-specific decision models for resource managers

C. Integration of system model w/ decision needs

Decision AnalysisA. Conceptual model of the WNS disease system

Bernard et al., in prep

Decision AnalysisA. Conceptual model of the WNS disease system: Influence Diagram

Bernard et al., in prep

Decision AnalysisB. Situation-specific decision models for resource managers

• Three case studies

- Leading edge: Texas, March 2018- Endemic: Vermont, 8 April

- Susceptible: Idaho, 6 May

Decision AnalysisB. Situation-specific decision models for resource managers

• Three case studies

- Leading edge: Texas, March 2018

Bernard et al., in prep

• Kill Pd in environment• Inhibit Pd on bats• Hinder transmission• Block infection• “Disarm” Pd• “Strengthen” bats• “Change” environment• …

Management Focusing on “Treatment”

Bat

PdHibernacula

WNS

Treatments

Biologic• Probiotics• Antagonistic

bacteria/fungi• Chitosan• Propolis• Rhodococcus• Pseudomonas• Wax esters

• Mushroom alcohol• Organic oils• Lotrimine• Chlorine dioxide• Toxins, B23• Turbinafin• PEG 8000

Chemical Immunological

• Vaccine• Proteases

Mechanical• Habitat modification• Heated bat boxes• UV light• Captive

management

Manipulation Host/Pathogen

• Gene silencing• Mycoviruses• Partitiviruses

• Cave advisory & Decontamination guidance

• NWCO, Rehab, Forest Management guidance

• Transportation agency guidance (for bridges with bats)

• Captive management recommendations

Other Conservation Measures

Available on www.WhiteNoseSyndrome.org

• The Bats for the Future Fund (BFF) - National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (in partnership with USFWS and U.S. Forest Service)• RFP coming summer 2019

• WNS State Capacity Grants - USFWS • ~$1 million total

• WNS Research Grants (the “Open RFP”) - USFWS • Over $1 million

• WNS Prize Challenge• Target biotechnological solutions to identify ways to disarm or weaken Pd

Support Opportunities - 2019

In Closing:• We have reason for optimism• Action is necessary for bat conservation • Before• During• Post-WNS

Bat Conservation Working Group

• Models predict continued spread• All hibernating bat species potentially at risk • We have reason for optimism• Action is necessary for bat conservation • Before• During• Post-WNS

Future of WNS?

Maher et al. 2012. Nature Communications.

Thank you

www.WhiteNoseSyndrome.org

Jeremy_Coleman@fws.gov