Bats facing extinction

[Morgan]

Has anyone else been following this ever increasing bat die off due to "White Nose Syndrome" or WNS in the bat populations of Europe and the U.S?

This is quoted from the Washington Post on April 11th, 2009.

What is known is this: As many as 90 to 100 percent of the bats in infected colonies have died within a year of finding the fungus. And with its spread this far south, there's no reason to think it will stop. Scientists are beginning to whisper the unthinkable: complete annihilation of some species.

Virginia Bats Dying From Effects of White Nose Syndrome - washingtonpost.com
___________________________________



The particular fungus was found to be "Geomyces."
______________________________________________
Profundezas...: Geomyces & the White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

TheUSGS microbiologist and lead author David Blehert isolated the fungus in April 2008, and identified it as a member of the group Geomyces. The research was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey scientists in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Health, and others.

Geomyces are a group of fungi that live in soil, water and air and are capable of growing and reproducing at refrigerator-level temperatures. Although the new fungus is

a close genetic relative of known Geomyces, it does not look like a typical member of this group under the microscope. "We found that this fungus had colonized the skin of 90 percent of the bats we analyzed from all the states affected by white-nose syndrome," Blehert said.
____________________________________________


Geomyces can be found in the following places:
Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc identified mold types – Geomyces pannorum

Geomyces pannorum
Geomyces pannorum is a saprophytic fungus widespread in nature. It is frequently isolated from soil and from air samples. In indoor environments, it is found in mattress dust, on damp walls; soil floor in buildings; swimming pool floors and gymnasium floors, paper in archives and libraries.
_________________________

Chrysosporium closely related to Geomyces:
Chrysosporium sp.

Chrysosporium sp. Mitosporic fungus. Hyphomycetes. Teleomorph (sexual state): Arthroderma, Ctenomyces, Gymnoascus, others.
Chrysosporium species are common and comprise a heterogenus group whose taxonomy has been widely debated. This genus is keratinophilic and/or cellulolytic and is closely related to the dermatophytes, those organisms infecting the skin. Geomyces is considered by some to be a Chrysosporium species. Health effects include rare reports of onychomycosis, skin lesions, and endocarditis. No information is available regarding toxicity. Allergenicity has not been widely studied. May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in air by culturable (Andersen) sampling. (Spores do not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized as "other colorless" on spore trap samples.) Natural habitat includes soil, dung, children's sand boxes, seeds, birds' nests, and plant remains such as leaf litter.
_________________________

Here is a well put together website by someone else who is following this situation in the news.

White Nose Syndrome



All for now

Morgan

[Morgan]

Phew, wiping brow.
This particular fungus could not live on a human 98.6 degrees. This
is still an important die off and will affect ourl ecosystem.
____________________________

White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America


Unlike typical fungi, this species of Geomyces cannot grow above 20°C (68ºF), and therefore appears to be exquisitely adapted to persist in caves and mines and to colonize the skin of hibernating bats. A consistent pattern of fungal skin penetration has been observed in over 90% of bats from the WNS-affected region that were submitted for disease investigation.



All for now

Morgan

[-----------]

Originally Posted by Morgan

Although the new fungus is a close genetic relative of known Geomyces, it does not look like a typical member of this group under the microscope. "We found that this fungus had colonized the skin of 90 percent of the bats we analyzed from all the states affected by white-nose syndrome," Blehert said.
____________________________________________


Geomyces can be found in the following places:
Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc identified mold types – Geomyces pannorum

Geomyces pannorum
Geomyces pannorum is a saprophytic fungus widespread in nature. It is frequently isolated from soil and from air samples. In indoor environments, it is found in mattress dust, on damp walls; soil floor in buildings; swimming pool floors and gymnasium floors, paper in archives and libraries.
_________________________

Chrysosporium closely related to Geomyces:
Chrysosporium sp.

Chrysosporium sp. Mitosporic fungus. Hyphomycetes. Teleomorph (sexual state): Arthroderma, Ctenomyces, Gymnoascus, others.
Chrysosporium species are common and comprise a heterogenus group whose taxonomy has been widely debated. This genus is keratinophilic and/or cellulolytic and is closely related to the dermatophytes, those organisms infecting the skin. Geomyces is considered by some to be a Chrysosporium species.
Morgan

Hi Morgan, actually there's been research done that links 'Crypto' to Morgellons, it's at:

LymeBusters - Cryptosporidium Parvum & Other Pathogenic Research

Also, in our "Think Tank" thread it was discussed today, about the "Morgellons Crypto" being a modified version of a known.

We're finding that the Morgellons fibers are everywhere on and in our bodies, it was probably carried into the caves by man. That in its 'pure' form it is a white, cotton-fuzzy mold/fungus-looking culture in a Petri Dish.

There's a couple out here who are 'fungus experts', who might have an opinion, also.

[carla]

Every species has it 's own deadly fungus now .It alters and adapts to suit whatever it has infected,and no one connects them, but it is all from the same jet trail .

[Morgan]

Originally Posted by Kammy

Hi Morgan, actually there's been research done that links 'Crypto' to Morgellons, it's at:

LymeBusters - Cryptosporidium Parvum & Other Pathogenic Research

Also, in our "Think Tank" thread it was discussed today, about the "Morgellons Crypto" being a modified version of a known.

We're finding that the Morgellons fibers are everywhere on and in our bodies, it was probably carried into the caves by man. That in its 'pure' form it is a white, cotton-fuzzy mold/fungus-looking culture in a Petri Dish.

There's a couple out here who are 'fungus experts', who might have an opinion, also.

Hello Kammy,

Although they are similar sounding, Cryptosporidium and Chrysosporium are two different things.

Crypto is a protazoan infection and Chrysosporium is a saprophitic fungus.


Cryptosporidium

Mycology Online -- Chrysosporium


Morgan