Whitenose syndrome WNS caused by the introduced fungal pathogen pseudogymnoascus destructans (PD) is an emerging infectious disease in north america that has become the predominant threat to several…

Whitenose syndrome WNS caused by the introduced fungal pathogen pseudogymnoascus destructans (PD) is an emerging infectious disease in north america that has become the predominant threat to several north american hibernating BAT species. The invasion and development of WNS in texas has been atypical compared to the advancement of the disease in the endemic zone of midwestern and eastern US and canada. Understanding what contributes to this variability is critical for our ability to manage WNS. Specifically the purpose of the project is to develop evidence based management of WNS in texas through the following objectives 1) understanding if the environmental reservoir plays a key role in driving WNS progression and 2) if environmental cleaning is a viable strategy for managing WNS in texas. Our work will determine the importance of the environmental reservoir in driving WNS epidemics in texas with implications for sites throughout the western US and mexico and therefore the potential efficacy of using environmental cleaning as WNS management strategy. Through our work we will contribute winter counts for p subflavus to nabat and conduct PD monitoring in accordance with national and state plans. Lastly we will continue to contribute to share these data engage with and contribute to working groups committees workshops and meetings of the WNS national response team.