Mysterious Bat Die-Off Revealed

Joseph LeBlancComputer Literacy

Bats and FungiResearch shows that a mysterious species of

fungi is responsible for the death of millions of bats in the United States and Canada over the past several years.

It is believed that the fungi had migrated over to the U.S. from Europe, causing what was known as “white nose syndrome.”

Fungal Threat to Humans Scientists believe that the fungal illness does

not pose a threat to humans, but they may still be carrying the disease through fungal spores.

It is not clear how the fungi had crossed the Atlantic from Europe, but some researchers believe it was brought over by tourists; fungal spores are known to attached to peoples’ clothes, boots and caving gear.

Protecting the BatsBats play a crucial role in the ecological food

chain by devouring insects, so losing them would cause dramatic changes in the food web."There is still not much we can do beyond

making absolutely sure we don't make things worse by accidentally spreading the fungus," Biologist Craig Willis of the University of Winnipeg in Canada.

Willis and a team of researchers set out to discover if the fungus is native to the U.S. or if it invaded us from abroad.

Willis collected 54 little brown bats from an uninfected cave in Manitoba. The bats were then divided into three groups:One was infected with spores from Europe,One was sickened with spores from North

America,One was not infected.

Comparing SymptomsBoth infected groups of bats developed the

symptoms that gave the disease its name; white noses and scarring of the wings.

Compared to uninfected bats, infected bats were more often roused during hibernation. This lead to deprivation of fat reserves and ultimately led to death.

With these results, scientists concluded the fungus originated from Europe.

BibliographyChang, Alicia. "Fungus behind America's Bat

Die-off." Msnbc.com. Msnbc Digital Network, 09 Apr. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46996215/ns/technology_and_science-science/