Screening and Biosecurity for White-Nose Fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Ascomycota: Pseudeurotiaceae) in Hawai‘i1

International audienceIntroduced pathogens causing emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are serious contemporary threats to animal, plant, and ecosystem health. The invasive fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has established populations of European origin in North America, resulting in mass mortality of several hibernating bat species. Extensive monitoring for this pathogen exists in Europe and North America, but limited screening is taking place elsewhere. We report results from cave surveys on Hawai‘i Island. Substrates in 10 lava-tube caves with elevations up to 3,045 m were swabbed providing samples for screening P. destructans. Interior cave air temperatures spanned temperatures suitable for the growth and survival of P. destructans. Using quantitative PCR, all 85 samples tested were negative for the presence of P. destructans. The biology of the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) in relation to its unusual use of high elevation caves is discussed because these bats could come into contact with P. destructans should it arrive in Hawai‘i. Large numbers of cave enthusiasts visit Hawaiian caves from across the world after having been inside caves elsewhere including areas with P. destructans. Thus, resource managers in Hawai‘i and other remote areas may want to consider the potential for P. destructans to arrive unintentionally via human activities. Biosecurity measures and periodic screening for P. destructans are especially important in Hawai‘i given the presence of high elevation caves with suitable temperatures for its growth. If P. destructans was introduced to Hawaiian caves, it could affect the local fauna but also act as a source population for colonisations elsewhere

Multi-scale assessment of roost selection by 'ōpe'ape'a, the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus).

The Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus; Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), commonly and locally known as 'ōpe'ape'a, is a solitary, insectivorous, and foliage-roosting species distributed across a wide range of habitats in lowland and montane environments. The species, as with many others in the Hawaiian archipelago, are facing a suite of challenges due to habitat loss and degradation, introduced predators and pests, and climate change. An understanding of the roost requirements of foliage-roosting tree bats is critical to their conservation as these habitats provide several important benefits to survival and reproduction. Because little is known about 'ōpe'ape'a roost ecology and considerable effort is needed to capture and track bats to roost locations, we examined resource selection at multiple spatial scales-perch location within a roost tree, roost tree, and forest stand. We used a discrete choice modeling approach to investigate day-roost selection and describe attributes of roost trees including those used as maternity roosts. 'Ōpe'ape'a were found roosting in 19 tree species and in an assortment of landcover types including native and non-native habitats. Our results are largely consistent with findings of other studies of foliage-roosting, insectivorous tree bats where bats selected roost locations that may offer protection and thermoregulatory benefits

Multi-scale assessment of roost selection by ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus)

The Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus; Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), commonly and locally known as ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, is a solitary, insectivorous, and foliage-roosting species distributed across a wide range of habitats in lowland and montane environments. The species, as with many others in the Hawaiian archipelago, are facing a suite of challenges due to habitat loss and degradation, introduced predators and pests, and climate change. An understanding of the roost requirements of foliage-roosting tree bats is critical to their conservation as these habitats provide several important benefits to survival and reproduction. Because little is known about ‘ōpe‘ape‘a roost ecology and considerable effort is needed to capture and track bats to roost locations, we examined resource selection at multiple spatial scales—perch location within a roost tree, roost tree, and forest stand. We used a discrete choice modeling approach to investigate day-roost selection and describe attributes of roost trees including those used as maternity roosts. ‘Ōpe‘ape‘a were found roosting in 19 tree species and in an assortment of landcover types including native and non-native habitats. Our results are largely consistent with findings of other studies of foliage-roosting, insectivorous tree bats where bats selected roost locations that may offer protection and thermoregulatory benefits