A5004821206- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Marine animal studies overview
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Bartonella species infections research
- Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Forest Management and Policy
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Career Development and Diversity
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones
University of Wyoming
2021-2024
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
2014-2022
United States Geological Survey
2019-2022
Eastern Ecological Science Center
2022
Pennsylvania State University
2017-2020
National Park Service
2016
Abstract Understanding the winter behavior of bats in temperate North America can provide insight into how react to perturbations caused by natural disturbances such as weather, human‐induced disturbances, or introduction disease. This study measured activity patterns outside their hibernaculum and asked this varied time, temperature, bat species, body condition, WNS status. Over course three winters (2011–2013), we collected acoustic data captured five hibernacula Tennessee, United States....
Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causal agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), is responsible for widespread mortality hibernating bats across eastern North America. To document P. destructans exposure and infections on active during winter in southeastern US, we collected epidermal swabs from captured winters 2012-13 2013-14 mist nets set outside hibernacula Tennessee. Epidermal swab samples were eight Rafinesque's big-eared (Corynorhinus rafinesquii), six red (Lasiurus borealis), three...
Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) are one of the most widely distributed bat species in Americas, often engaging rapid, long-distance dispersals. Here, we document that, since ca. 2007, these have expanded their range into western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and Virginia. Reports from wildlife control professionals, rehabilitators, regional submissions for rabies testing, acoustic monitoring, presence T. brasiliensis buildings houses indicate that now established...
Abstract Ecological understanding of host–pathogen dynamics is the basis for managing wildlife diseases. Since 2008, federal, state, and provincial agencies tribal private organizations have collaborated on bat white‐nose syndrome (WNS) surveillance monitoring, research, management programs. Accordingly, scientists managers learned a lot about hosts, pathogen, WNS. However, effective mitigation measures to combat WNS remain elusive. Host–pathogen systems are complex, identifying ecological...
Abstract Temperate bat species use extended torpor to conserve energy when ambient temperatures are low and food resources scarce. Previous research suggests that migratory known roost in thermally unstable locations, such as those trees, more likely remain active during winter. However, hibernating colonies of cave roosting bats the southeastern United States may also be emerge from caves throughout hibernation period. We report what eating these bouts winter activity. captured 2,044 10...
Candidatus Bartonella mayotimonensis was detected in 2010 from an aortic valve sample of a patient with endocarditis Iowa, the United States America. The environmental source potentially new endocarditis-causing remained elusive. We set out to study prevalence and diversity bat-associated North During 2015, mist nets harp traps were used capture 92 bats belonging two species: little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus Le Conte 1831, n = 73) gray (M. grisescens A.H. Howell 1909, 19) Kentucky,...
Abstract Studies examining the overwintering behaviors of North American hibernating bats are limited to a handful species. We deployed temperature-sensitive transmitters on four species bat that exhibit differences in their susceptibility white nose syndrome (WNS; Myotis grisescens , M. leibii sodalis, and Perimyotis subflavus ) determine if these correlated with behavior exhibited during hibernation (i.e., torpor expression arousal frequency). Mean skin temperature (T sk bout duration...
ABSTRACT Bats roosting in buildings are a challenge for wildlife managers because of their conservation needs, capacity to transmit disease, and potential damage structures. An understanding roost selection by bats is important effective management but was lacking the southeastern United States. During 2015 2016, we surveyed 140 Great Smoky Mountains National Park eastern Tennessee western North Carolina, USA bats, identifying 48 sites detecting 5 species. We compared microclimate...
Emerging infectious diseases in wildlife are an increasing threat to global biodiversity. White-nose syndrome (WNS) bats is one of the most recently emerged North America, causing massive declines eastern bat populations. In Northeast, winter behavior during hibernation period, such as flying day or cold weather, has been attributed WNS. However, emergence southeastern United States, where winters warmer, received little attention. The goals this study were determine if results from...
Abstract Management decisions for species impacted by emerging infectious diseases are challenging when there uncertainties in the effectiveness of management actions. Wildlife managers must balance trade‐offs between mitigating effects disease and associated consequences on other aspects managed system. An example this challenge is exemplified response to white‐nose syndrome (WNS), a hibernating bats. The fungal pathogen that causes WNS, Pseudogymnoascus destructans , continues spread...
Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causal agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), is commonly found on bats captured both inside and outside caves during hibernation, a time when are most vulnerable to infection. It has not been documented in southeast US or landscape summer. We collected 136 skin swabs from 10 species at 20 sites Tennessee side Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 12 May-16 August 2015. Three were positive for P. one male tricolored bat ( Perimyotis subflavus ) two big brown...
Abstract Since its introduction to North America, white‐nose syndrome has been associated with declines greater than 90% in several bat species, prompting the development of treatments reduce disease‐related mortality. As treatment application is scaled up, predicting responses at population level will help management plans. We develop a model allowing for implementation multiple scenarios populations risk severe mortality from syndrome. Our allows variation over 10 parameters, including...
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) of wildlife have characteristics that make them difficult to manage, leading reactive and often ineffective management strategies. Currently, two fungal pathogens, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), are causing declines in novel host species. To improve the application strategies addressing risk these pathogens North American wildlife, we queried managers about their concerns regarding managing populations bats...
Between December 2012 and April 2013, bats were observed flying during daylight hours throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although some displayed typical foraging drinking behavior, others appeared sick or incapable of flying, erratically, one collided with a hiker. These observations tended to be reported on warmer-than-average days. Nine collected tested negative for rabies; 6 that White-nose Syndrome (WNS) via histology all diagnosed as WNS positive. An additional not...
Abstract The impact of white-nose syndrome on North American bat populations may limit the effectiveness traditional monitoring methods, including roost surveys, mist netting, and acoustic monitoring, and, in turn, determination species occurrence. Genetic markers from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted feces (i.e., guano pellets) provide an effective alternative method for assessing We used existing genetic marker 16S ribosomal subunit, mitochondrial DNA, to create a DNA sequence...
Prior to the introduction of white-nose syndrome (WNS) North America, temperate bats were thought remain within hibernacula throughout most winter. However, recent research has shown that in southeastern United States emerge regularly from hibernation and are active on landscape, regardless their WNS status. The relationship between winter activity susceptibility yet be explored but warrants attention, as it may enable managers implement targeted management for WNS-affected species. We...
Organizational climate is a key determinant of diverse aspects success in work settings, including academia. Power dynamics higher education can result inequitable experiences workplace climate, potentially harming the well-being and productivity employees. Quantifying across employment categories help identify changes necessary to create more equitable for all. We developed administered survey within our academic workplace-the Department Zoology Physiology at University Wyoming-to evaluate...
ABSTRACT Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ( Bsal ) is a fungal pathogen that can cause the emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis in some amphibians and currently causing dramatic declines European urodeles. To date, has not been detected North America but potential to severe naïve hosts if introduced. Therefore, it critical wildlife managers are prepared with effective management actions combat fungus. Research initiated identify strategies; however, need guidance prepare for an...
Myotis leibii (Eastern Small-footed Myotis) are infrequently encountered across their range, and as a result, little is known about summer roosting ecology. This species not federally protected, but receives legal protection in many states, including Tennessee. Additional information on the species, particularly its ecology, needed to inform appropriate management conservation planning. While conducting survey of multiple bat using buildings roosts Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we...
Abstract Wildlife disease management decisions often require rapid responses to situations that are fraught with uncertainty. By recognizing is implemented achieve specific objectives, resource managers and science partners can identify an analysis technique develop a monitoring plan evaluate effectiveness. For emerging infectious diseases, objectives may take several distinct forms, dependent on the perceived stage of emergence (i.e., pre‐epidemic, early outbreak, mid‐epidemic, endemic),...
Abstract Aim Emerging research shows how bioindicators, specifically bats, can serve as a means for monitoring conservation and management of riparian corridors multiple taxonomic groups. To track changes in the composition or abundance bioindicator species, researchers must attain baseline species presence relative activity. We examined spatial temporal patterns bat community activity along 1000‐mile river corridor to determine diversity trends by latitude habitat. Location Colorado River...