Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport
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University of Akron / OhioLINK
2018
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1511983700318656 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-akron15119837003186562021-08-03T07:04:45Z Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport Morisak, Kelli M. Biology White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease infecting several hibernating bat species in North America. The disease is caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Mortality in bats is thought to occur because Pd causes the bats to become dehydrated and to wake from hibernation prematurely, rapidly depleting critical fat reserves. In addition to being a pathogen Pd is a saprobe, capable of surviving inside of bat hibernacula independent of a bat host, living off detritus in the hibernacula sediment. However, it is not known how Pd spore loads vary in different parts of the bat hibernacula and the potential for human vectored transport. I tested Pd spore loads in the sediment, air, and upon the clothes of visitors to infected hibernacula, using a combination of microscopy and cultivation. My data suggests that Pd spores could only be found in the sediment of infected bat hibernacula at two different locations, both of which were closely associated with WNS-infected bats. I did not detect any Pd on the clothing of cave visitors or tourists. These data indicate that there is a low risk of Pd human vectored transport, except in cases of direct interactions with infected bats. This research will contribute to our understanding of the spread of WNS throughout and from bat hibernacula. 2018-11-26 English text University of Akron / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1511983700318656 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1511983700318656 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Biology |
| spellingShingle |
Biology Morisak, Kelli M. Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport |
| author |
Morisak, Kelli M. |
| author_facet |
Morisak, Kelli M. |
| author_sort |
Morisak, Kelli M. |
| title |
Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport |
| title_short |
Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport |
| title_full |
Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport |
| title_fullStr |
Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Variation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans Spore Loads and Risk of Human Vectored Transport |
| title_sort |
variation of pseudogymnoascus destructans spore loads and risk of human vectored transport |
| publisher |
University of Akron / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2018 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1511983700318656 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT morisakkellim variationofpseudogymnoascusdestructanssporeloadsandriskofhumanvectoredtransport |
| _version_ |
1719452993579909120 |