Geomyces destructans
Encyclopedia
Geomyces destructans is a psychrophilic
(cold-loving) fungus
that is associated with White nose syndrome
(WNS), a fatal disease that has decimated bat
populations in parts of the US. Unlike other species of Geomyces, Geomyces destructans forms asymmetrically curved conidia. Geomyces destructans grows very slowly in artificial media and cannot grow at temperatures above 24 °C. It has optimal growth around 4 °C to 15 °C, which is about the same temperature of winter bat hibernacula
.
Regarding etymology, "destructans" means "destroying".
associated with the disease, though strong evidence suggests that the fungus is the etiologic agent. Though it has mostly been found in bats in northeastern United States, this fungus is also infects bats in Europe. In 2010, Geomyces destructans was found in Germany
, Switzerland
, and Hungary
in five species of bats. Also in 2010, it was reported that Geomyces destructans was widespread in the Czech Republic
and Slovakia
. It has also been found on a bat in France
.
In WNS, the hypha
e and conida
of the fungus can be found on the bat's snout
, wing
membrane, and/or ears
. The fungus can penetrate into the hair follicle
s and sebaceous gland
s, and lead to ulcers in the skin.
In 2008, Blehart et al. described the fungus associated with white nose syndrome as a member of the genus Geomyces
. In 2009, Gargas et al. were the first to describe the fungus as a unique species.
In North America, Geomyces destructans has been found to infect at least six species of bats, including the little brown (Myotis lucifugus)
, the northern long-eared (Myotis septentrionalis)
, the big brown (Eptesicus fuscus)
, the tricolored (Perimyotis subflavus)
, the eastern small-footed (Myotis leibii)
, and the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
.
Psychrophile
Psychrophiles or cryophiles are extremophilic organisms that are capable of growth and reproduction in cold temperatures, ranging from −15°C to +10°C. Temperatures as low as −15°C are found in pockets of very salty water surrounded by sea ice. They can be contrasted with thermophiles, which...
(cold-loving) fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
that is associated with White nose syndrome
White nose syndrome
White nose syndrome is a poorly understood disease associated with the deaths of more than a million bats. The condition, named for a distinctive fungal growth around the muzzles and on the wings of many affected animals, was first identified in a cave in Schoharie County, New York, USA, in...
(WNS), a fatal disease that has decimated bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
populations in parts of the US. Unlike other species of Geomyces, Geomyces destructans forms asymmetrically curved conidia. Geomyces destructans grows very slowly in artificial media and cannot grow at temperatures above 24 °C. It has optimal growth around 4 °C to 15 °C, which is about the same temperature of winter bat hibernacula
Hibernaculum (zoology)
Hibernaculum plural form: hibernacula is a word used in zoology to refer to a place of abode in which a creature seeks refuge, such as a bear using a cave to overwinter. Insects may hibernate to survive the winter. The word can be used to describe a variety of shelters used by various kinds of...
.
Regarding etymology, "destructans" means "destroying".
Role in WNS
It is currently unknown whether Geomyces destructans is the primary cause of WNS or is an opportunistic pathogenOpportunistic infection
An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens, particularly opportunistic pathogens—those that take advantage of certain situations—such as bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan infections that usually do not cause disease in a healthy host, one with a healthy immune system...
associated with the disease, though strong evidence suggests that the fungus is the etiologic agent. Though it has mostly been found in bats in northeastern United States, this fungus is also infects bats in Europe. In 2010, Geomyces destructans was found in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
in five species of bats. Also in 2010, it was reported that Geomyces destructans was widespread in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. It has also been found on a bat in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
In WNS, the hypha
Hypha
A hypha is a long, branching filamentous structure of a fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium; yeasts are unicellular fungi that do not grow as hyphae.-Structure:A hypha consists of one or...
e and conida
Conidium
Conidia, sometimes termed conidiospores, are asexual, non-motile spores of a fungus and are named after the greek word for dust, konia. They are also called mitospores due to the way they are generated through the cellular process of mitosis...
of the fungus can be found on the bat's snout
Snout
The snout, or muzzle, is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw.-Terminology:The term "muzzle", used as a noun, can be ambiguous...
, wing
Wing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
membrane, and/or ears
EARS
EARS may refer to:* Electoral software* Electronic Arts, Redwood Shores campus.* Emirates Amateur Radio Society...
. The fungus can penetrate into the hair follicle
Hair follicle
A hair follicle is a skin organ that produces hair. Hair production occurs in phases, including a growth phase , and cessation phase , and a rest phase . Stem cells are principally responsible for the production of hair....
s and sebaceous gland
Sebaceous gland
The sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals...
s, and lead to ulcers in the skin.
In 2008, Blehart et al. described the fungus associated with white nose syndrome as a member of the genus Geomyces
Geomyces
Geomyces is a genus of filamentous fungus in the family Myxotrichaceae. Members of the genus are widespread in distribution, especially in northern temperate regions. Known to be psychrotolerant and associated with Arctic permafrost soils, they are equally prevalent in the air of domestic...
. In 2009, Gargas et al. were the first to describe the fungus as a unique species.
In North America, Geomyces destructans has been found to infect at least six species of bats, including the little brown (Myotis lucifugus)
Little brown bat
The little brown bat is a species of the genus Myotis , one of the most common bats of North America...
, the northern long-eared (Myotis septentrionalis)
Northern long-eared myotis
The Northern long-eared myotis is a small bat, typically 5-10 g and 84 mm in total length . The fur is dull brown on the dorsum and yellowish on the venter...
, the big brown (Eptesicus fuscus)
Big brown bat
The Big Brown Bat is larger in size than comparative species of bats, from about 4 to 5 inches in body length, with a 11-13 inch wingspan and weighing 1/2 to 5/8 ounce. The fur is moderately long, and shiny brown...
, the tricolored (Perimyotis subflavus)
Eastern Pipistrelle
The Tricolored Bat is a species of bat that is widely distributed throughout the eastern parts of North America, ranging west until Kansas and Texas, from Honduras up north until southern Ontario...
, the eastern small-footed (Myotis leibii)
Eastern Small-footed Myotis
The Eastern Small-Footed Myotis or Eastern Small-footed Bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It can be found in Ontario and Quebec in Canada and in the eastern United States...
, and the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
Indiana bat
The Indiana bat is a medium-sized mouse-eared bat native to North America. It lives primarily in eastern and midwestern states and in parts of the south of the United States. The Indiana bat is gray, black, or chestnut in colour and is 1.2–2 inches and weighs about 1/4 an ounce...
.