Publication details
New data on bat species affected by white-nose syndrome in the Czech Republic, Europe
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Eight bat species from the genus Myotis have already been reported positive for the white-nose syndrome (WNS) fungus (Geomyces destructans) (G.d.) in Europe. Importantly, dermatohistopathology confirmed fungal infection with cupping erosions and skin invasion diagnostic for WNS in a Myotis myotis specimen hibernating in the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic) in April 2011. Monitoring the white-nose syndrome and its causative agent in the Czech Republic in spring 2012 recognised two vespertilionid species (Myotis emarginatus and Eptesicus nilsonii) newly positive for the white-nose syndrome diagnostic features on histopathology. In addition to that, a rhinolophid bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) with a white fungal growth on its upper lip was positive for G.d. in culture. The lesser horseshoe bat was not biopsied to distinguish between skin colonisation and infection. The Geoffroys and northern bats were sampled during hibernation in an old mine in the Jeseniky Mountains with known high WNS prevalence and intensity of infection in the greater mouse-eared bat. The G.d.-positive lesser horseshoe bat was found in a Moravian Karst cave. These results show that the knowledge of the species spectrum of WNS/G.d.-positive bats is broadening in Europe and differences in ecology and biology of the infected species such as their population size and hibernation behaviour may have implications for the current knowledge on the epidemiology of this fungal disease. |
| Related projects: |