Geological Survey

Description

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for an ongoing project at El Malpais National Monument. White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a new disease of the 21st century that is killing bats during their hibernation. Since its discovery in New York, white-nose syndrome has spread westward as far as western Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri. Throughout its current range of occurrence, WNS has affected 6 species of bats in the eastern United States with many areas having greater than 95% colony loss. WNS is caused by the fungus Geomyces destructans and noted that this fungus can be transmitted through direct bat to bat contact. In 2010, this causal fungal agent was discovered in the western panhandle of Oklahoma, approximately 621 miles from the current and closest range limits of WNS-affected areas in Tennessee and Kentucky. In addition to the range extension of G. destructans relative to the current location of WNS, this fungus has been found on a new host species, the cave myotis (Myotis velifer), approximately 200 miles from New Mexico, in the Oklahoma panhandle.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Faith Graves, 703-648-7356<br/>fgraves@usgs.gov<br/>
fgraves@usgs.gov