A parasitic fungus, Geomyces destructans, has decimated millions of bats in the United States since it was first observed in upstate New York in 2006. The disease has been named white-nose syndrome because of the white fungal hyphae that cover the bat upon infection. It is believed that this fungus was introduced from Europe by tourists entering into caves with hibernating bat populations. Which prediction most likely reflects changes that will occur in natural communities as a result of massive bat mortality? (A) increased animal populations as a result of niche availability (B) increased rodent populations as a result of an increase in flying insect populations (C) increased flying insect populations (D) decreased bird populations as the spread of the fungus infects other closely related species

A psychrophilic (cold-loving) fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans is the deadly disease known as white-nose syndrome (WNS), which has decimated bat populations in several parts of the United States and Canada. P. destructans produces conidia that are asymmetrically curled, unlike other Geomyces species. On artificial medium, Pseudogymnoascus destructans develops very slowly and cannot grow at temperatures higher than 20 °C. It can thrive at temperatures ranging from 4 °C to 20 °C, which includes those in winter bat hibernacula. According to phylogenetic analysis, this organism should be classed into the Pseudeurotiaceae family and given the new name Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

In North America, the fungus that kills bats is known as White-nose Syndrome (WNS). According to research, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes WNS, was probably imported from Europe. Millions of dead bats were left in its wake as what began in New York in 2006 extended to more than half of the United States and five Canadian provinces by August 2016.

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