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May 29 2025
5A new scientific study published in Nature has uncovered a major development in the fight against a deadly disease affecting bats. Long believed to be caused by a single species of fungus, white-nose disease is now attributed to two distinct fungal species. This discovery deepens concerns about bat conservation, particularly if the second species—so far confined to Eurasia—makes its way to North America.
An international research team led by a doctoral candidate at the University of Greifswald, in collaboration with institutions in France, Bulgaria, Finland, Ukraine, and supported by hundreds of volunteers, analyzed over 5,400 samples across 27 countries. Their findings mark a pivotal moment in understanding one of the largest pathogen-driven wildlife mortality events in recorded history.
First detected in New York State during the winter of 2006–2007, white-nose disease initially appeared as a mysterious and fatal condition affecting hibernating bats. Infected animals were noted for having white, powder-like fungal growth on their noses. The culprit was soon identified as Pseudogymnoascus destructans, a fungus previously unknown to science. Originating in Eurasia—where local bat species show resistance—its accidental introduction to North America led to widespread devastation, with mortality rates surpassing 90% in some colonies.
For nearly 20 years, scientists believed the outbreak was caused by a single species with a clearly traceable origin and known transmission routes. However, the new genetic analysis challenges this narrative. The study revealed a second, closely related fungal species capable of causing the same disease. Though this species has not yet reached North America, researchers warn that its arrival could endanger additional bat populations, including those beginning to recover from the original outbreak.
“This changes everything we thought we knew,” said Dr. Nicola Fischer, lead author of the study. “The presence of two disease-causing fungi adds complexity to our understanding of how white-nose disease evolves and spreads in different ecosystems.”
The study also confirms the geographical origin of the North American epidemic: the Podillia region in Ukraine, a popular site for international cave exploration since the early 1990s. Evidence suggests the fungus likely crossed the Atlantic via contaminated caving gear used by explorers from New York, pointing to a single introduction event that unleashed a continental crisis.
“These findings resolve long-standing questions about how the disease reached North America,” said Dr. Sébastien Puechmaille, project coordinator. “They also underscore how one moment of biological translocation can have catastrophic consequences for wildlife.”
Researchers stress the importance of improved biosecurity protocols for cave-related activities. Caving equipment can carry viable fungal spores across borders, and thorough cleaning procedures are critical to preventing further spread. According to Dr. Puechmaille, integrating fungal transport prevention into conservation and public health strategies is now more urgent than ever.
The study's success hinged on an extraordinary citizen science effort. More than 360 trained volunteers contributed to sample collection and analysis, allowing researchers to compile a dataset of unprecedented scale and depth.
“This is a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration between scientists and volunteers,” Puechmaille added. “It proves that with the right guidance, citizen science can drive high-impact research.”
As the global bat population continues to face threats from disease, this discovery serves as both a warning and a call to action. Without proactive measures, the introduction of the second fungal species could lead to a renewed and even more severe conservation crisis.
Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-pathogenic-fungus-threatening.html
This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.
