Mackenzie Thomas
University of Wyoming Lead Vertebrae Zoologist Ian Abernethy works to manage and conduct field research involving many animal species found in and around Wyoming.
Abernethy, who has been working with the university since 2011, is currently working with the National Park Service, United States Forest Service and several state organizations like the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, who are also funding the project, to study the effect of White Nose Syndrome on bats in North America.
White Nose Syndrome is caused by the fungus Pseudogrymnoascus destructans (Pd). This fungus first appeared in Wyoming in 2018 after it was discovered at the Fort Laramie Historic Site in Goshen County, but the disease itself was brought to North America in the early 2000s.
“Since its introduction, White Nose Syndrome has led to the death of several million bats,” said Abernethy.
White Nose Syndrome targets hibernating bats. The fungus makes the bats die because it increases the amount of energy bats utilize during hibernation. While hibernating, bats ration their energy and if it is used up too quickly, the bats will die.
“I’ve been researching bats for several years because White Nose Syndrome kills a lot of bats. It’s important [for] states to find out where this disease is coming from.”
Abernethy has been involved with bat research for many years, especially since the introduction of White Nose Syndrome to Wyoming in 2018.
Many researchers, including Abernethy, are concerned on both state and federal levels about the spread of White Nose Syndrome. Abernethy said the goal of the research was to find where the disease is and what can be done to slow the spread.
Many scientists consider this crucial, because bats are considered a large part of the American ecosystem, due to their significance as natural pollinators and sources of pest control.
Bats that have been affected by White Nose Syndrome do not exhibit clinical signs of the disease until it has already progressed. Because of this, it is crucial to study how the fungus moves and spreads within different bat populations across North America.
“From a wildlife managers perspective, managers need to know where the fungus and disease may be in order to regulate it and minimize the spread of the fungus,” said Abernethy.
