Question

True or False. Based on his hypothesis that white-nose fungi cause death in bats, Blehert predicted that exposure of healthy bats to infected white-nose bats would lead to illness and death in the previously healthy bats.

Answer 1

Answer:

TRUE

Explanation:

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease killing bats in North America. The causative organisms for WNS is Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

It is termed “white-nose syndrome” (WNS) due to the apparent white fungal growth on contaminated bats’ muzzles and wings. It is dominant during hibernation (a period whereby the bats lowers its metabolic rate and body temperature to conserve energy during the course of winter) as it causes the Hibernating bats to use up its fat reserves leading to starvation before spring season.

It causes acidification and dehydration in the infected bats as they consume double the energy it needs when compared to energy consumption in healthy bats.

Its mode of transmission includes

- physical contact with infected bats.

-physical contact with the surfaces of the cave or mine where they’re hibernating

- Humans can be a mode of transmission by transferring from one hibernaculum to another through accidental usage of the shoes, clothing, or gear stained or contaminated with the fungus.