next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
--Apple-Mail-23--521171039
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset=WINDOWS-1252;
delsp=yes;
format=flowed
Hugh Broders of St. Mary's Univ. asked me to convey this letter =20
(long), as an update from him and a request for information which =20
might help his team of researchers, on this new and potentially =20
devastating fungus disease in N.S. bats.
If any of you wish to see the several e-mails that led up to this =20
letter from Hugh, please ask me for them personally. [Jim in =20
Wolfville]
-----------------------
27 April 2011
Dear Naturalists,
Many of you may have heard there is a disease that is having =20
devastating impacts on most of the species of bat that occur in =20
northeast North America. The disease is called white-nose syndrome =20
and is caused by a fungus (Geomyces destructans) that infects the =20
bats when they are hibernating. All indications suggest the fungus =20
disrupts normal hibernation patterns, so that infected animals =20
deplete their energy reserves much sooner than they ordinarily would =20
and at a time where there is no way to replenish them. This is why =20
in areas where white =96nose syndrome is present, one of the first and =20=
most obvious indications that there is a problem is that bats are =20
seen flying outside, in the day, in the winter. It appears to be a =20
behavior rooted in desperation. In infected hibernacula it has been =20
found that the overwinter counts have dropped in the range of 70-95% =20
in just 2-3 years.
In the last month or so the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome =20
has been found in a hibernaculum in New Brunswick and there has been =20
a major mortality rate associated with this (more than 70% and =20
possibly as high as 90% mortality in just one winter). There are =20
other hibernacula in the vicinity of the infected cave but to this =20
point things seem normal there. Unfortunately we expect this to =20
change in the next 12-24 months.
We have also had a suspected case of white-nose syndrome here in Nova =20=
Scotia. A bat that was captured in Brooklyn (Hants Co.) tested =20
positive for the fungus but showed no outward sign of infection. =20
Sadly, we predict that the situation will change for the worse in the =20=
next 12-24 months here in Nova Scotia as well.
Although there are records of up to seven species of bat here in Nova =20=
Scotia there are really only three that exist in any significant =20
numbers. The others are long-distance migrants that are present in =20
the province in very low numbers, if any at all, during the summer or =20=
occasionally pass through on migration. The three species that occur =20=
here in any numbers are locally hibernating species and include the =20
little brown bat, the northern long-eared bat and the tri-colored bat =20=
(formerly known as eastern pipistrelle). Research and monitoring =20
efforts in other areas have clearly demonstrated that each of these =20
species is highly vulnerable to white-nose syndrome.
The future is bleak for bats in northeastern North America. It is =20
not inconceivable that within a matter of a few years there will be =20
few, if any, bats present in Nova Scotia -- scary!
I am often asked what the lack of bats might mean. My response is =20
typically fairly straightforward. First, I typically point out that =20
we will have no bats left. This loss of an entire group of mammals =20
should be shocking enough and suffice as a response. However, I am =20
then typically prompted to go a little further and I typically =20
respond that bats are insectivores with an incredibly high metabolism =20=
and have to consume huge numbers of insects to satisfy this metabolism.
Although we have never lived in a time when there were no bats, it is =20=
hard to say what exactly this will mean directly to our society. But =20=
a recent paper published in the journal Science is informative. =20
Conservatively, the authors of that paper estimated that the value of =20=
bats to the agriculture industry in the United States is about $23 =20
billion per year. Quite significant for a conservative estimate, I =20
would think.
This summer my students and I are planning to continue our studies of =20=
bat biology, albeit with a little more haste this year given the =20
situation. We are working quite closely with the authorities and =20
experts to determine what we can and should do for research and =20
monitoring.
Therefore, the purpose of this email is three-fold.
First, I wanted to inform you about the situation.
Second, I wanted to let you know how you can help. Report any =20
unusual observations to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural =20
Resources so that they can be investigated appropriately. If you =20
find any dead bats please report them to the Nova Scotia Department =20
of Natural Resources. They will want to collect them for analysis =20
and to understand how the disease spreads geographically through the =20
province.
Finally, my research group is interested in locating and sampling =20
bats at maternity colonies. Maternity colonies consist of 10s to =20
100s of female bats that come together in the summer to gestate and =20
raise their young. Roosts for maternity colonies are often in =20
attics, sheds, barns, cabins, etc.
If you know of the location of any colonies of bats we would =20
appreciate hearing from you. We may decide to come and collect =20
tissue samples from bats in these colonies in support of our genetic =20
studies to learn about population structure and movement dynamics of =20
bats. We are less interested in places that have just a few bats =20
(<15 or so), or have colonies that are not accessible.
If we could either access the colony during the day or deploy traps =20
at the exit points for the colony it would be ideal. Please drop me =20
an email if you think you may have or know of a situation I may be =20
interested in. If you know of a situation that might be of interest =20
please let me know the following information: estimated number of =20
animals, whether the colony is accessible in the day -- e.g., is the =20
attic where they roost accessible?), how high is the exit point where =20=
they leave the structure? is there only one entrance/exit point or =20
several? Are you the owner of the land/property? If not, who is?
My contact information is smubats@gmail.com. Thanks.
Sincerely
Hugh Broders,
---------------------
Hugh Broders
Associate Professor & Chairperson
Department of Biology
Saint Mary's University
Halifax, NS
B3H 3C3
Canada
902-496-8193 (tel)
902-420-5046 (fax)
http://www.smu.ca/faculty/hughbroders/welcome.html=
--Apple-Mail-23--521171039
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/html;
charset=WINDOWS-1252
<html><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; =
-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hugh Broders of St. Mary's =
Univ. asked me to convey this letter (long), as an update from him and a =
request for information which might help his team of researchers, on =
this new and potentially devastating fungus disease in N.S. =
bats. <div><br></div><div>If any of you wish to see the several =
e-mails that led up to this letter from Hugh, please ask me for them =
personally. [Jim in =
Wolfville]<div>-----------------------</div><div><div style=3D"margin-top:=
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
16.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce">27 April 2011</font></div><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; =
color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; "><br></div><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" =
color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce">Dear Naturalists,</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal =
normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); =
min-height: 14px; "><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
16.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce">Many of you may have heard there =
is a disease that is having devastating impacts on most of the species =
of bat that occur in northeast North America. The disease is =
called white-nose syndrome and is caused by a fungus (<u>Geomyces =
destructans</u>) that infects the bats when they are hibernating. =
All indications suggest the fungus disrupts normal hibernation patterns, =
so that infected animals deplete their energy reserves much sooner than =
they ordinarily would and at a time where there is no way to replenish =
them. This is why in areas where white =96nose syndrome is =
present, one of the first and most obvious indications that there is a =
problem is that bats are seen flying outside, in the day, in the =
winter. It appears to be a behavior rooted in desperation. =
In infected hibernacula it has been found that the overwinter counts =
have dropped in the range of 70-95% in just 2-3 =
years. </font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; =
"><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce">In the last month or so the fungus that causes =
white-nose syndrome has been found in a hibernaculum in New Brunswick =
and there has been a major mortality rate associated with this (more =
than 70% and possibly as high as 90% mortality in just one =
winter). There are other hibernacula in the vicinity of the =
infected cave but to this point things seem normal there. =
Unfortunately we expect this to change in the next 12-24 =
months.</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; =
"><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce">We have also had a suspected case of white-nose syndrome =
here in Nova Scotia. A bat that was captured in Brooklyn (Hants =
Co.) tested positive for the fungus but showed no outward sign of =
infection. Sadly, we predict that the situation will change for =
the worse in the next 12-24 months here in Nova Scotia as =
well.</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; =
"><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce">Although there are records of up to seven species of bat =
here in Nova Scotia there are really only three that exist in any =
significant numbers. The others are long-distance migrants that =
are present in the province in very low numbers, if any at all, during =
the summer or occasionally pass through on migration. The three =
species that occur here in any numbers are locally hibernating species =
and include the little brown bat, the northern long-eared bat and the =
tri-colored bat (formerly known as eastern pipistrelle). Research =
and monitoring efforts in other areas have clearly demonstrated that =
each of these species is highly vulnerable to white-nose =
syndrome.</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; =
"><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce">The future is bleak for bats in northeastern North =
America. It is not inconceivable that within a matter of a few =
years there will be few, if any, bats present in Nova Scotia -- =
scary! </font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; =
"><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce">I am often asked what the lack of bats might mean. =
My response is typically fairly straightforward. First, I =
typically point out that we will have no bats left. This loss of =
an entire group of mammals should be shocking enough and suffice as a =
response. However, I am then typically prompted to go a little =
further and I typically respond that bats are insectivores with an =
incredibly high metabolism and have to consume huge numbers of insects =
to satisfy this metabolism. </font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: =
normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); =
min-height: 14px; "><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
16.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce">Although we have never lived in =
a time when there were no bats, it is hard to say what exactly this will =
mean directly to our society. But a recent paper published in the =
journal Science is informative. Conservatively, the authors of =
that paper estimated that the value of bats to the agriculture industry =
in the United States is about $23 billion per year. Quite =
significant for a conservative estimate, I would think. =
</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px =
0.0px"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" =
style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce"> </font></p><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" =
color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce">This summer my students and I are planning to continue our =
studies of bat biology, albeit with a little more haste this year given =
the situation. We are working quite closely with the authorities =
and experts to determine what we can and should do for research and =
monitoring.</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px =
0.0px"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" =
style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce"> </font></p><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New =
Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New =
Roman; color: #0a28ce">Therefore, the purpose of this email is =
three-fold.</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px =
0.0px"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" =
style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce"> </font></p><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New =
Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New =
Roman; color: #0a28ce">First, I wanted to inform you about the =
situation.</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; =
"><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce">Second, I wanted to let you know how you can help. =
Report any unusual observations to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural =
Resources so that they can be investigated appropriately. If you =
find any dead bats please report them to the Nova Scotia Department of =
Natural Resources. They will want to collect them for analysis and =
to understand how the disease spreads geographically through the =
province.</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal =
12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; =
"><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce">Finally, my research group is interested in locating and =
sampling bats at maternity colonies. Maternity colonies consist of =
10s to 100s of female bats that come together in the summer to gestate =
and raise their young. Roosts for maternity colonies are often in =
attics, sheds, barns, cabins, etc. </font></div><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; =
color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 14px; "><br></div><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" =
color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce">If you know of the location of any colonies of bats we would =
appreciate hearing from you. We may decide to come and collect =
tissue samples from bats in these colonies in support of our genetic =
studies to learn about population structure and movement dynamics of =
bats. We are less interested in places that have just a few bats =
(<15 or so), or have colonies that are not =
accessible. </font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal =
normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); =
min-height: 14px; "><br></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
16.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce">If we could either access the =
colony during the day or deploy traps at the exit points for the colony =
it would be ideal. Please drop me an email if you think you may =
have or know of a situation I may be interested in. If you know of =
a situation that might be of interest please let me know the following =
information: estimated number of animals, whether the colony is =
accessible in the day -- e.g., is the attic where they roost =
accessible?), how high is the exit point where they leave the structure? =
is there only one entrance/exit point or several? Are you =
the owner of the land/property? If not, who is?</font></div><p =
style=3D"margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce"> </font></p><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
16.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce">My contact information =
is <a href=3D"mailto:smubats@gmail.com"><font color=3D"#1638e6" =
style=3D"color: =
#1638e6"><u>smubats@gmail.com</u></font></a>. Thanks.</font></div><di=
v style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Times New =
Roman'; color: rgb(10, 40, 206); min-height: 18px; "><br></div><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" =
color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 16.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce">Sincerely</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"5" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
16.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce">Hugh Broders,</font></div><p =
style=3D"margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce"> </font></p><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
15.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce">---------------------</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0.0px =
0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" =
color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce"> </font></p><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New =
Roman" size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New =
Roman; color: #0a28ce">Hugh Broders</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
15.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce">Associate Professor & =
Chairperson</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px =
0.0px"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" =
style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce"> </font></p><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New =
Roman" size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New =
Roman; color: #0a28ce"> Department of =
Biology</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce"> Saint Mary's University</font></div><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" =
color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce"> Halifax, NS</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
15.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce"> B3H =
3C3</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce"> Canada</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: =
15.0px Times New Roman; color: #0a28ce"> 902-496-8193 =
(tel)</font></div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"4" color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; =
color: #0a28ce"> 902-420-5046 (fax)</font></div><div =
style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"4" =
color=3D"#0a28ce" style=3D"font: 15.0px Times New Roman; color: =
#0a28ce"> <a =
href=3D"http://www.smu.ca/faculty/hughbroders/welcome.html"><font =
color=3D"#0b2bde" style=3D"color: =
#0b2bde">http://www.smu.ca/faculty/hughbroders/welcome.html</font></a></fo=
nt></div></div></div></body></html>=
--Apple-Mail-23--521171039--
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects