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WHITE NOSE SYNDROME

11th September, 2024

WHITE NOSE SYNDROME

Source: DOWNTOEARTH

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

  • A new study has found that the outbreak of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), a highly contagious disease, devastated bat populations across the United States from 2006-2017.
  • It led to a rise in deaths of human infants following increased pesticide use by farmers.

Details

What is White-Nose Syndrome?

  • WNS is a devastating fungal disease affecting hibernating bat species.
  • It is caused by the cold-loving fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
  • It gets its name from the white fungal growth observed on the muzzles and wings of infected bats.

Cause

  • The fungus thrives in cold, damp environments typical of caves where bats hibernate.
  • It is believed that the fungus was introduced to North America from Europe or Asia.
  • Bats can spread the fungus through direct contact with each other or through the environment.
  • Human transmission of the fungus via clothing and gear is possible.

Impact on Bats

  • WNS primarily affects bats during hibernation.
  • Infected bats wake up more frequently during hibernation, leading to increased energy expenditure and the depletion of fat reserves.
  • As a result, many bats starve to death before spring.

Insectivorous bats

Aspect

Details

Diet

These bats consume a variety of insects, including moths, beetles, mosquitoes, flies, and termites.

Feeding Behavior

Insectivorous bats use echolocation to locate and capture prey in flight.

Species Examples

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), Mexican Free-tailed Bat.

Bats

Aspect

Details

Definition

Bats are flying mammals belonging to the order Chiroptera, meaning "hand-wing."

Species Diversity

Over 1,400 species globally, making them the second-largest order of mammals after rodents.

Location

Bats are found almost everywhere in the world. There are bats in the far north of Scandinavia, as well as in the deserts of the south-western USA. The only places on Earth with no bats are the Arctic, Antarctic and a few isolated Oceanic islands.

Echolocation

Microbats use echolocation to navigate and hunt, emitting high-frequency sound waves to detect objects.

Lifespan

Bats can live for 20-30 years.

Ecological Role

Pollination, seed dispersal and insect population control.

Interesting Fact

Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight (over 100 miles in a single night).

Sources:

DOWNTOEARTH

PRACTICE QUESTION

 Q:  Consider the following statements about Bats:

1.The smallest extant mammal is a bat.

2.Bat droppings can be used to make gunpowder.

3.Bats are the largest order of mammals.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a)1 and 2 only

b)2 and 3 only

c)1 and 3 only

d)None

 

Answer: a

Explanation:

1st statement is correct: The smallest bat, and the smallest extant mammal, is Kitti's hog-nosed bat, which is 29–34 millimetres in length.

2nd statement is correct: Guano consists largely of saltpeter (potassium nitrate) making it an ideal component for gunpowder. In fact, it's been used by the United States as early as the War of 1812 for making gunpowder.

3rd statement is incorrect: The second largest order of mammals after rodents, bats comprise about 20% of all classified mammal species worldwide, with over 1,400 species.

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