Bat Projects in Parks: Carlsbad Caverns

Summary

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) and Bat Projects: Do Western Bat Species Possess Natural Defense to WNS?

PI: Connie Wilson, Kent Schwarzkopf, Steve Baumann, Diana Northrup

Carlsbad Caverns is using the funds to conduct research on white-nose syndrome (WNS). The investigators will be investigating the skin/fur microbiome of different bat species captured and sampled in the park to identify potential biocontrol agents for WNS and will be using these results to educate park visitors.

More information:

Western Bats as a Reservoir of Novel Streptomyces Species with Antifungal Activity

External bacterial diversity on bats in the southwestern United States: Changes in bacterial community structure above and below ground