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Presence of white-nose syndrome in bats from Southern Mexico

Summary

Researchers found evidence that white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease affecting bats, has reached southern Mexico. The fungus was detected in bat samples from a cave in Oaxaca, confirming earlier predictions about its spread from North America. The fungus can survive at temperatures ranging from cold to tropical heat, making it a significant threat to bat populations across diverse habitats in Mexico and beyond.

Background

White-nose syndrome (WNS) caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans has caused high mortality in North American bats and has spread across Asia, Europe, and North America. The fungus has been documented in Texas, creating potential for dispersal into neighboring Mexico, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like Oaxaca.

Objective

To investigate the presence of P. destructans in bat populations from a cave in southern Mexico and to determine the thermotolerance capabilities of the fungus under laboratory conditions to assess its risk to bat species in tropical environments.

Results

Molecular analysis confirmed P. destructans in 9 captured individuals (8 M. velifer, 1 P. parnellii) and 1 carcass (B. plicata). Thermotolerance tests showed the fungus can grow across a wide temperature range (5-28°C), with fastest growth at 5°C. Only vespertilionid and emballonurid bats tested positive, while Phyllostomidae species showed no infection.

Conclusion

This study provides field evidence of P. destructans in southern Mexico, validating ecological niche models and highlighting the need for monitoring programs in this biodiversity hotspot. The fungus’s thermotolerance at higher temperatures poses a significant risk to bat populations across tropical and temperate regions of Mexico.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Field Study with Laboratory Analysis,
  • Source: PMID: 40388410, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318461
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