Exceptional Longevity in Little Brown Bats Still Occurs, despite Presence of White-Nose Syndrome
Publication Date
2020
Description
White-nose syndrome is an introduced fungal disease that has reduced the size of hibernating populations of little brown bats Myotis lucifugus by 90% across much of eastern North America since 2007. Herein, we report the recapture of eight banded little brown bats, all males, with minimum ages of 18.6–25.6 y. The recaptures occurred during winter 2019–2020, at a hibernaculum in Michigan where white-nose syndrome likely has been present since 2013–2014, indicating that these old and apparently healthy males are in their seventh season of exposure to the disease. Hence, our data suggest that a long life in little brown bats and existence of white-nose syndrome are not necessarily incompatible.
Journal
Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management
Volume
11
First Page
583
Last Page
587
Department
Biology
Second Department
Animal Behavior
Link to Published Version
https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-20-039
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-20-039
Recommended Citation
Kurta, Allen; Foster, Rodney W.; Daly, Brooke A.; Wilson, Ashley K.; Slider, Robin M.; Rockey, Craig D.; Rockey, Jacqueline M.; Long, Brenna L.; Auteri, Giorgia G.; Collins, Jason D.; White, J Paul; Kaarakka, Heather M.; Redell, Jennifer A.; and Reeder, DeeAnn. "Exceptional Longevity in Little Brown Bats Still Occurs, despite Presence of White-Nose Syndrome." (2020) : 583-587.