2008/10/31 by David S. Blehert, Alan C. Hicks, Melissa Behr +10 · 5 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · Immunology and Microbiology · #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Rabies epidemiology and control
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1163874
openalex publication_date 2008/10/31 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a condition associated with an unprecedented bat mortality event in the northeastern United States. Since the winter of 2006*2007, bat declines exceeding 75% have been observed at surveyed hibernacula. Affected bats often present with visually striking white fungal growth on their muzzles, ears, and/or wing membranes. Direct microscopy and culture analyses demonstrated that the skin of WNS-affected bats is colonized by a psychrophilic fungus that is phylogenetically related to Geomyces spp. but with a conidial morphology distinct from characterized members of this genus. This report characterizes the cutaneous fungal infection associated with WNS.