Webinar: Dispersal Hazards of Pseudogymnoascus destructans by Bats and Human Activity at Hibernacula in Summer

A Webinar Presentation with:

Anne Ballmann, DVM, PhD

Wildlife Disease Specialist, USGS-National Wildlife Health Center

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017, 2:30 PM Eastern Time

To Participate in the Webinar:
Step 1: Dial-In for the Audio: 1-800-768-2983; Use Access Code: 8383462
Step 2: Web Login for the Video: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1o8mcagbdhff0&eom

Abstract: Bats occupying hibernacula during summer are exposed to Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), and may contribute to its dispersal. Furthermore, equipment and clothing exposed to cave environments are a potential source for human-assisted spread of Pd. To explore dispersal hazards for Pd during the nonhibernal season, we tested samples that were collected from bats, the environment, and equipment at hibernacula in the eastern US between 18 July–22 August 2012. Study sites included six hibernacula known to harbor bats with Pd with varying winter-count impacts from WNS and two hibernacula (control sites) without prior history of WNS. Nucleic acid from Pd was detected from wing-skin swabs or guano from 40 of 617 bats (7% prevalence), including males and females of five species at five sites where WNS had previously been confirmed as well as from one control site. Analysis of guano collected during summer demonstrated a higher apparent prevalence of Pd among bats (17%, 37/223) than did analysis of wing-skin swabs (1%, 4/617). Viable Pd cultured from wing skin (2%, 1/56) and low recapture rates at all sites suggested bats harboring Pd during summer could contribute to pathogen dispersal. Additionally, Pd DNA was detected on clothing and trapping equipment used inside and near hibernacula, and Pd was detected in sediment more readily than in swabs of hibernaculum walls. Statistically significant differences in environmental abundance of Pd were not detected among sites, but prevalence of Pd differed between sites and among bat species. Overall, bats using hibernacula in summer can harbor Pd on their skin and in their guano, and demonstration of Pd on clothing, traps, and other equipment used at hibernacula during summertime within the WNS-affected region indicates risk for pathogen dispersal during the nonhibernal season.

Forthcoming paper in Journal of Wildlife Disease: http://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/2016-09-206?code=wdas-site

Webinar: Effects of Climate Change on Inland Fish and Fisheries: Global, North American, and Management Perspectives

Hosted by AFWA’s Climate Change Committee and Fisheries and Water Resources Policy Committee

Join us for a webinar featuring research from the USGS’s National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center. The presentation will cover documented and projected effects of climate change on inland fishes and proposed opportunities for adaptation. The speakers will draw from two important publications including “Global synthesis of the documented and projected effects of climate change on inland fishes” and “Climate change effects on North American inland fish populations and assemblages”.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017
1:00-2:00pm EST

Speakers
Abigail J. Lynch, USGS, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center
Bonnie J. E. Myers, USGS, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center

How to Join
Click here to join the meeting: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1rj4v71g7w74m&eom
Dial-In Number: 800.768.2983, enter Access Code: 8383462
Contact Davia Palmeri (dpalmeri@fishwildlife.org or 202-838-3464) with questions.

Webinar: Overview of the Animal Welfare Act and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs)

Abstract: The USDA Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is the federal law initially written to pertain to animals used in biomedical research but which has been amended in recent years to include animals in wildlife research. Institutions involved in wildlife research have established Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) to ensure compliance with the AWA. The US Forest Service is amongst several federal and state wildlife agencies that have established IACUCs and have realized the benefit for their research scientists. This webinar will review the requirements of the AWA and its regulations, help to understand key terminology and where to find informational resources, explain the role and responsibilities of the IACUC, and discuss perspectives on determining when/if IACUC oversight is needed in wildlife research and other wildlife activities to ensure ethical use of wildlife resources and to promote distribution of scientific knowledge.

Speaker: 
Dr. Patrice Klein
Attending Veterinarian, USFS IACUC; and National Program Lead, Fish & Wildlife Health, U.S. Forest Service Research & Development- Washington Office

Date: Tuesday, August 29,
Time: 2 PM Eastern 1 PM Central 12 PM Mountain 11 AM Pacific

To join the webinar:
Step 1: For the audio,
Dial: 800.768.2983,
Access code: 8383462
Step 2: Web Log-in: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/18dryus51iu0d&eom

Contacts: Monica Tomosy (mstomosy@fs.fed.us)
and Nicole Zimmerman (nzimmerman@fs.fed.us)

Webinar presented by the U.S. Forest Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies