White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

The safety of cave bats is a concern for DNR officials.  White-nose syndrome is a nasty disease in bats and this syndrome is a threat to the bat population that has the potential to alter the ecosystem of the caves.  It is a threat Iowa biologists are taking seriously and are combing the caves for any indication of the syndrome. 

• How does the white nose fungus impact bats?

• What happens to bats when they contract white nose syndrome?
• What would happen to the cave ecosystem if the bat population was decimated?

Students could:

• Research and synthesize information about the relationship between the sensory receptors of a bat with white-nose fungus and a bat that does not have white nose fungus.
• Analyze white-nose fungus in bats and determine if white nose fungus is genetic or environmental.
• Identify how white-nose fungus influences the growth of bats. 
• Brainstorm ideas of how white-nose fungus will impact the surrounding ecosystem.
• Develop a hypothesis about changes of an ecosystem (biotic and/or abiotic) and the impact on populations living there. 
• Evaluate and present evidence about patterns in ecosystem changes (biotic and/or abiotic) and organism populations.

• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach | Bats in Iowa:  This resource describes Iowa’s different bat populations as well as threats to these bat populations.  
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) | 6 Cool Things You Should Know About Bats in Iowa:  This resource from the Iowa DNR  briefly describes a few interesting facts about bats in Iowa. 
• ​Bat Conservation International:  This site contains the latest news about different events and stories about bats worldwide. 
• White-Nose Syndrome Response Team | What Is White-Nose Syndrome?: This site describes white-nose syndrome and efforts to limit its impact.