The emerging wildlife disease white-nose syndrome is causing widespread mortality in hibernating North American bats. White-nose syndrome occurs when the fungus Geomyces destructans infects the living skin of bats during hibernation, but links between infection and mortality are underexplored. We analyzed blood from hibernating bats and compared blood electrolyte levels to wing damage caused by the fungus. Sodium and chloride tended to decrease as wing damage increased in severity. Depletion of these electrolytes suggests that infected bats may become hypotonically dehydrated during winter. Although bats regularly arouse from hibernation to drink during winter, water available in hibernacula may not contain sufficient electrolytes to offset winter losses caused by disease. Damage to bat wings from G. destructans may cause life-threatening electrolyte imbalances.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS|
April 01 2013
Electrolyte Depletion in White-nose Syndrome Bats
Paul M. Cryan;
Paul M. Cryan
9
1 United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. C, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526, USA
9 Corresponding author (email: cryanp@usgs.gov)
Search for other works by this author on:
Carol Uphoff Meteyer;
Carol Uphoff Meteyer
2 United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
David S. Blehert;
David S. Blehert
2 United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Jeffrey M. Lorch;
Jeffrey M. Lorch
2 United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, USA
3 Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1300 University Avenue, 1530 MSC, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
DeeAnn M. Reeder;
DeeAnn M. Reeder
4 Department of Biology, Bucknell University, 203 Biology Building, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania 17837, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Gregory G. Turner;
Gregory G. Turner
5 Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elemerton Ave., Harrisburg, Pensylvania 17110, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Julie Webb;
Julie Webb
6 Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Dr., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Melissa Behr;
Melissa Behr
7 Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin, 445 Easterday Ln., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Michelle Verant;
Michelle Verant
2 United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Robin E. Russell;
Robin E. Russell
2 United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Kevin T. Castle
Kevin T. Castle
8 United States National Park Service, Wildlife Health Program, Biological Resource Management Division, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 200, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
J Wildl Dis (2013) 49 (2): 398–402.
Article history
Received:
April 30 2012
Accepted:
September 15 2012
Citation
Paul M. Cryan, Carol Uphoff Meteyer, David S. Blehert, Jeffrey M. Lorch, DeeAnn M. Reeder, Gregory G. Turner, Julie Webb, Melissa Behr, Michelle Verant, Robin E. Russell, Kevin T. Castle; Electrolyte Depletion in White-nose Syndrome Bats. J Wildl Dis 1 April 2013; 49 (2): 398–402. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/2012-04-121
Download citation file:
Citing articles via
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF HYDRATED LIME ON THE SCAVENGING OF FERAL SWINE (SUS SCROFA) CARCASSES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGING CARCASS-BASED TRANSMISSION OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VIRUS
Courtney F. Bowden, James Grinolds, Gregory Franckowiak, Lorna McCallister, Joseph Halseth, Matthew Cleland, Travis Guerrant, Michael Bodenchuk, Robert Miknis, Michael C. Marlow, Vienna R. Brown
Fatal Systemic Haemosporidiosis in a Free-ranging Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
Deborah L. A. Chong, Brittany McHale, Kayla B. Garrett, Michael J. Yabsley
Tacheng Tick Virus 1 and Songling Virus Infection in Great Gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) in Northwestern China
Na Ji, Nan Wang, Gang Liu, Shanshan Zhao, Zhiqiang Liu, Wenbo Tan, Shiyi Wang, Jinjiang Sheng, Fengshi Li, Yuanzhi Wang
Disease Surveillance of Cougars (Puma concolor) in Utah, USA
Annette Roug, Kristin Engebretsen, Arnaud van Wettere, Julie K. Young
Trypanosoma cruzi Survey in Poached Pichis (Zaedyus pichiy; Mammalia, Cingulata) from Mendoza, Argentina
Melisa E. Morales, Catalina Muñoz-San Martín, Pedro E. Cattan, Mariella Superina