Bat WhiteNose Syndrome Jeremy T H Coleman National WNS Coordinator US Fish amp Wildlife Service Northeast Region Biologists Conference Baltimore Maryland 17 February 2011 WNS WNS presents a novel disease and resource management problem ID: 671123
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Slide1
Current Status of the Research and Management ofBat White-Nose Syndrome
Jeremy T. H. ColemanNational WNS Coordinator, US Fish & Wildlife ServiceNortheast Region Biologists ConferenceBaltimore, Maryland, 17 February, 2011
WNSSlide2
WNS presents a novel disease and resource management problemManaging WNS poses considerable biological and social challenges, with complex coordination needs
Over 100 agencies, NGOs, and universities involved A National Plan has been developed to build on accomplishments to date and enhance coordination
WNS – An Unprecedented CrisisSlide3
What is White-Nose Syndrome?
Jonathan Reichard
Alan Hicks
Carol Meteyer
David Blehert
Alan Hicks
USFWSSlide4
Bat Species in the U.S. & Canada
Source: Paul
Cryan
, USGSSlide5
2007 - 1 state, 5 hibernaculaSlide6
2008 - 4 states, 42 known hibernaculaSlide7
2009 – 9 states, 88 known hibernacula
Approx. 900 kmSlide8
June 2010: 13 States, 2 Provinces, 160+ affected sites
Select non-cave locs.
Southeastern bat
(Myotis austroriparius)
Cave bat
(Myotis velifer)
Gray bat
(Myotis grisescens)
Approx.
2200 kmSlide9
Feb. 2011: 16 States, 2 Provinces, 160+ affected sites
Select non-cave locs.
Indiana
North Carolina
2011Slide10
Graphite Mine, NY – April 2009
Photo and data: Alan Hicks, NYSDEC
2000
2010
Little brown myotis
183,542
2,049
Northern
myotis
440
0
Indiana myotis
104
0
Tri-colored bat
194
2
E. small-footed myotis
721
485
Big
brown bat
18
9Slide11
New York Sites - Complete Counts16,134
10,336
0
2500
5000
7500
10000
12500
15000
17500
20000
1985/6
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Year
Count
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
Count
Hailes Cave
Williams Lake
Schoharie Cavern
Knox Cave
Gages Cave
Howe's Cave
Friends Lake
Source of data: A. Hicks, NYSDECSlide12
Simulations of Extinction for Myotis lucifigus
Frick, Reynolds, Pollock, and Kunz - 2009Slide13
What We Know About WNSOver 95% mortality at many affected
hibernacula6 cave bat species affected, w/ fungus detected on 3 additionalSusceptibility may differ by bat species or with microclimate
Specific fungal infection is common to affected sites and defines the disease
Still no evidence of bacterial, viral, or parasitic causeThe fungus can persist in caves in the absence of bats
Bats can become infected from an affected environmentSlide14
A newly described fungal species
Optimal growth at 5-14° C
What We Know About WNS Fungus: Geomyces destructans
Photo by D. Berndt, NWHCSlide15
A newly described fungal species
Optimal growth at 5-14° C Invades skin tissue of hibernating bats
Genetically similar fungal isolates found
at multiple affected hibernacula in the U.S. (also sediment)
Bat-to-bat transmission has been demonstrated – NWHC
Conidia (spores) have
been found sticking to exposed gear
Genome has been sequenced - Broad Institute, NWHC
G
. destructans has been found on European bats
What We Know About WNS Fungus:
Geomyces destructans
Photo by D. Berndt, NWHCSlide16
WNS: A European Connection?
Rene
Guttinger
Hungary
Tamas
Gorfol
Switzerland
Netherlands
Anne
Jifke-HaarsmaSlide17
Disease transmissionCause of mortality Treatment and control
Diagnostics and surveillanceEtiology and persistence of Gd
Conservation
Population monitoring
General
Research PrioritiesSlide18
Currently Funded Research (partial)Immune response of hibernating bats & post-exposure
Behavior and physiology of hibernationPopulation-level impacts (local and range-wide)Contaminants – pesticides and environmental
Genetics – predisposition, post-exposure, & fungal
Disinfection/Decontamination & Gd in the environment
Prospects for captive managementDynamics of transmission
Epidemiological modeling
Improving detection of Gd on bats & in environment
Susceptibility & potential for resistanceSlide19
Antifungal TreatmentsSome success in the labLimited field trials have not been successful
Two projects funded by Comp SWG statesSlide20
Some Accomplishments in Managing WNS
WNS investigation team and partnershipsCoordination structure and Task Groups established in 2008FWS webpage:
http://www.fws.gov/WhiteNoseSyndromeResearch support and coordination (RFPs)
State support (SWGs and small grants)
Guidance: - Containment
- Structured Decision Making (SDM) initiatives
- White papers: rehabilitation, surveillance-monitoring, genetics,... - State plan template
National and state planning Slide21
1
3
2
6
8
5
4
Region
Coordinator
Location
National
Jeremy Coleman
Cortland
- HadleyNat’l Asst.TBDHadley, MA
Nat’l Comm.
Ann Froschauer
Hadley, MA
1
Guppy Blair
Ahsahka
, ID
2
Paul Barrett
Albuquerque, NM
3
Richard Geboy
Bloomington, IN
4
Mike Armstrong
Frankfort, KY
5
Alison Whitlock
Hadley, MA
6
TBD
8
Larry Rabin
Sacramento, CA
NWRS R9
Donita
Cotter
Arlington, VASlide22
Management Focusing on ContainmentDecontamination Protocols
- recently updated, Jan 2011 (http://www.fws.gov/WhiteNoseSyndrome/pdf/WNSDecontaminationProtocol_v012511.pdf) -
Decontamination Protocol Committee
Cave Advisory – March, 2009 Due to threat of human transmission, USFWS recommends that people stay out of caves and abandoned mines
and not transport caving gear.
- Currently under revisionSlide23
Fall 2009, FWS funded VBEB projectFebruary 2010, FWS formed a captive management workgroup to investigate the potential for ex-situ actionsShort-term holding
Full propagation CryopreservationJuly 2010, St. Louis workshop
SDM project
Captive Management
Jeff
Hajenga, WVDNRSlide24
Status of State Response/Recovery Plans
In development
Near completion
CompleteSlide25
WNS National PlanPurpose:
To guide the response of Federal, State, and
Tribal agencies, and partners to WNS
Multi-agency
input: USFWS, USGS, NPS,
USFS, DOD, APHIS,
BLM, AFWA & States, St. Regis
Mohawk Tribe
Establishes an
organizational structure with oversight up to
the Washington levelFormally
establishes
7 working groups
: 1. Communications 2. Data and Technical Information Management 3. Diagnostics 4. Disease Management 5.
Etiological and Epidemiological Research
6. Disease Surveillance
7. Conservation and Recovery Slide26
Two stages:National Plan - The framework - not prescriptive - A static document
Implementation Plan - Identifies players & costs - Provides guidance - An adaptive plan, web based
WNS National PlanSlide27
DRAFT WNS Organization Structure (v.7.5)Slide28Petitions
Listing Petitions:January 2010, CBD petitioned to list: - Eastern small-footed bat - Northern long-eared bat
December 2010, request for status review: - Little brown batCBD Cave Petition:
January 2010- Feds to close all caves
- Transfer of materials to be considered “Take”Slide29
AcknowledgmentsThanks to the great many people who are working on WNS, including State and Federal Agents, NGOs, Researchers, and Private Partners
Special Thanks to the WNS Coordinators and extended FWS WNS team Contributors to this talk:Paul
Cryan, Alan Hicks, Andy Lowell, & Rob TawesSlide30
14 hibernating species of bats occur only west of
Great PlainsPaul Cryan