Bats Biodiversity One Health

Metagenomic and Genomic Analyses Reveal Prevalent Spread and Evolution of the Bat White-Nose Pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans in Western Canada

Wang, Y., Chadabhorn, I., Olson, C. & Xu, J.

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Key points

• Bat populations in North America have declined sharply since 2006 due to white-nose syndrome, a disease caused by a fungus that damages bats’ skin and muzzles during hibernation.
• The fungus has recently been detected in western Canada, a region with the country’s highest bat diversity, raising urgent concern.
• Genetic evidence indicates the fungus likely arrived in Alberta two to five years before the first detection in 2023 and is continuing to evolve.
• The standard methods used by most labs to test for Pd are somewhat insensitive and may miss the presence of this fungus until it is prevalent.
• The study highlights the need for stronger, ongoing monitoring to track its spread and support timely action to protect bats, as well a sa more robust approach for Pd surveillance.

Abstract

Bats play a crucial role in the ecosystem. However, North American bat populations have experienced a dramatic decline since 2006 due to white-nose syndrome, a disease caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). This fungus can invade and damage the skin on bat wings and muzzles during hibernation. Since 2021, Pd has been reported at selected sites in western Canada, the region with the highest bat diversity in Canada, eliciting urgent calls for action among diverse stakeholders. Here we analyze nine metagenomes of bat guanos and wing swabs and the genomes of five Pd strains from western Canada to investigate the distribution and diversity of Pd in this region. Pd was found in all nine metagenomic samples and the metagenome sequences enabled us to identify the associated bat species. Divergence time estimates of Pd based on whole-genome sequences suggest that Pd likely entered Alberta two to five years before its first official report. Furthermore, we found evidence of abundant gene copy number variations in this species. Together, our metagenomic and genomic analyses indicate that Pd is more prevalent than currently recognized and is evolving and diversifying. Continued surveillance with more comprehensive methods is needed to accurately track its spread and facilitate timely management of white-nose syndrome in North America.

Recommended citation

Wang, Y., Chadabhorn, I., Olson, C. & Xu, J. (2026). Metagenomic and Genomic Analyses Reveal Prevalent Spread and Evolution of the Bat White-Nose Pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans in Western Canada. Journal of Fungi. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12020154