White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) research is taking place at Woodward Cave this winter! (All Photos From January 2010) Researchers from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, and Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, are collecting data on little brown bats hibernating in Woodward Cave to see if they can help determine the cause of WNS. White-Nose Syndrome is a large-scale epidemic that is killing cave-dwelling bats in the northeast while they are hibernating. WNS ia named after a white fungus that grows on affected bats’ nose, wings, and tail membrane.   The fungus was recently identified as a member of the genus Geomyces, but the role of fungus is unknown. Since its discovery in February 2006 near Albany, NY, WNS has spread at least 250 miles to neighboring states. Affected caves in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Connecticut are experiencing greater than 90 % mortality in one year. Five cave-dwelling bats species are being impacted including tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), northern long-ear bats (M. septentrionalis), eastern small-footed bats (M. lebeii), and the federally endangered Indiana bats (M. sodalis). With such a rapid spread and a high mortality rate, it is important to determine the cause of this epidemic. With funding from Bat Conservation International, the National Speleological Society, and Missouri State University, Amanda Janicki (graduate student) and Dr. DeeAnn Reeder of Bucknel University are measuring the metabolic rates of hibernating little brown bats. WNS is causing hibernating bats to deplete all of their fat reserves before hibernation is over. This could be the result of elevated metabolic rates in affected bats during hibernation. Four sites are being studied in Pennsylvania including Woodward Cave Bats will be kept in individual metabolic chambers for 24 hours so that oxygen consumption rates and body temperatures can be measured while the bat is hibernating. The metabolic rates of the bats at the different hibernacula sites will be compared to determine if there is a link between metabolic rates and the occurrence of WNS. See U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html  See USGS website: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/  For more information contact Amanda Janicki: janicki13@missouristate.edu

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) research is taking place at Woodward Cave this winter!

(All Photos From January 2010)

Researchers from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, and Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, are collecting data on little brown bats hibernating in Woodward Cave to see if they can help determine the cause of WNS. White-Nose Syndrome is a large-scale epidemic that is killing cave-dwelling bats in the northeast while they are hibernating. WNS ia named after a white fungus that grows on affected bats’ nose, wings, and tail membrane.

The fungus was recently identified as a member of the genus Geomyces, but the role of fungus is unknown. Since its discovery in February 2006 near Albany, NY, WNS has spread at least 250 miles to neighboring states. Affected caves in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Connecticut are experie

ncing greater than 90 % mortality in one year. Five cave-dwelling bats species are being impacted including tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), northern long-ear bats (M. septentrionalis), eastern small-footed bats (M. lebeii), and the federally endangered Indiana bats (M. sodalis). With such a rapid spread and a high mortality rate, it is important to determine the cause of this epidemic.

With funding from Bat Conservation International, the National Speleological Society, and Missouri State University, Amanda Janicki (graduate student) and Dr. DeeAnn Reeder of Bucknel University are measuring the metabolic rates of hibernating little brown bats. WNS is causing hibernating bats to deplete all of their fat reserves before hibernation is over. This could be the result of elevated metabolic rates in affected bats during hibernation. Four sites are being studied in Pennsylvania including Woodward Cave Bats will be kept in individual metabolic chambers for 24 hours so that oxygen consumption rates and body temperatures can be measured while the bat is hibernating. The metabolic rates of the bats at the different hibernacula sites will be compared to determine if there is a link between metabolic rates and the occurrence of WNS.

See U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html
See USGS website: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/
For more information contact Amanda Janicki: janicki13@missouristate.edu

Bat weighing in at 7.06 grams.

Measuring the forearm.

Bat being placed in the study chamber.

Research equipment in the cave.