Wing-damage index used for characterizing wing condition of bats affected by white-nose syndrome

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White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is characterized by the growth of one or more species of fungus on the rostrum, ears, and flight membranes of hibernating bats. During the warm months of the year, damage to these membranes may be manifested by the appearance of necrotic tissue, tears, and scars in these membranes. To assess the occurrence and severity of damage to flight membranes, researchers authorized to handle bats should inspect the membranes of both wings and the uropatagium for each bat handled. Each bat is assigned a single score based on the collective condition of these membranes as described below. Affected membrane areas are estimated as the percent of the total membrane area (including both wings and the uropatagium). Translumination of membranes helps to reveal damage that is not otherwise visible. Damage also has been observed on the forearms of some bats and has been included in these scoring criteria. This document illustrates the scoring procedure.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology

SWAP (2/19/2016) citation:
Reichard JD. [date unknown]. Wing-damage index used for characterizing wing condition of bats affected by white-nose syndrome. [accessed 2015 Dec 13]. https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/sites/default/files/resource/reichard_....

Other information if needed: Author affiliation: Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215