Bent-winged bat with glowing fungal network on wings in a cave

Bat Skin Secrets: What Fungi Tell Us About Their Health Down Under

Soraya Malik in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Aussie researchers discover the diverse fungal life on bent-winged bats, revealing clues to their resilience and potential vulnerability."

Fungi are more than just forest floor organisms; they play a vital role in the health of animals, sometimes beneficial, and sometimes disastrous. White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has devastated bat populations in North America. This has prompted concerns about Australian bats.

In Australia, the southern bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae bassanii) is critically endangered. Researchers sought to determine if fungal diseases might be contributing to their decline, focusing on P. destructans, dermatophytes (skin fungi), and Histoplasma capsulatum (a fungus potentially harmful to humans). They compared these findings to the more common eastern bent-winged bat (M. orianae oceanensis) to understand the fungal diversity in different bat populations.

This research dives into the microscopic world on bat wings, exploring the types of fungi that live there and their potential impact on bat health, and human health. Discover what this means for bat conservation and the steps being taken to protect these vital creatures.

What Did the Bat Fungus Study Reveal?

Bent-winged bat with glowing fungal network on wings in a cave

The study involved swabbing bats and their environments in Victoria and South Australia to identify the fungi present using DNA analysis. Here's a breakdown of the key findings:

Researchers tested 325 live bats and 30 environmental samples. The results revealed:

P. destructans (White-Nose Syndrome): None of the bats or their environment tested positive.
Histoplasma capsulatum: Detected in some bats (0-19% prevalence depending on location), but not in the environment, suggesting a low risk of transmission to humans.
Fungal Diversity: A large variety of mostly environmental or plant-associated fungi were found on the bats' skin. These fungi were not considered significantly harmful to the bats.

The absence of P. destructans is reassuring. But the presence of other fungi, particularly Histoplasma capsulatum, warrants further attention due to its potential zoonotic risk (transmission from animals to humans).

What Does This Mean for Bat Conservation?

This study is the first in-depth look at the fungal communities on Australian bent-winged bats. It gives us a baseline understanding of what's normal for these creatures.

While the fungi found in this study don't appear to be major threats to bats, the researchers emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring. They need to keep an eye out for the introduction of P. destructans and understand how changes in the environment might affect the fungal communities on bats and their health.

The information helps to implement stricter biosecurity measures to protect these bat populations and gives insights into the potential risk factors that could impact their survival.

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Everything You Need To Know

What was the main focus of the bat fungus study?

The study looked at the fungal communities on the skin of the southern bent-winged bat (*Miniopterus orianae bassanii*) and the eastern bent-winged bat (*M. orianae oceanensis*). The researchers sought to determine if fungal diseases, such as those caused by *Pseudogymnoascus destructans* (the cause of White-Nose Syndrome), were present and potentially contributing to the decline of these bat populations. They also investigated the presence of *Histoplasma capsulatum* and dermatophytes to understand the overall fungal diversity.

Why is the absence of Pseudogymnoascus destructans important?

The discovery that *Pseudogymnoascus destructans*, the fungus responsible for White-Nose Syndrome, was not found on the Australian bent-winged bats is a very positive finding. This absence suggests that these bats are not currently facing the devastating effects of this disease, which has decimated bat populations in North America. This is a crucial piece of information for the conservation of these endangered species. While White-Nose Syndrome wasn't found, the identification of *Histoplasma capsulatum* highlights a zoonotic risk, which means it could be transmitted to humans, and warrants continued monitoring. The presence of a variety of other fungi, mainly plant-associated fungi, on the bat's skin were also found.

How did researchers identify the fungi on the bats?

Researchers used a method called DNA analysis to identify the fungi present on the bats. This involved swabbing the bats and their environments in Victoria and South Australia to collect samples. These samples were then analyzed to identify the specific types of fungi present, providing a comprehensive view of the fungal communities living on the bats' skin.

What were the main results of the bat fungus study?

The key findings include the absence of *Pseudogymnoascus destructans*, the detection of *Histoplasma capsulatum* in some bats, and the identification of a diverse range of other fungi, mostly environmental or plant-associated, on the bats' skin. The absence of *P. destructans* is reassuring for the bats, while the presence of *Histoplasma capsulatum* raises concerns because of its potential for transmission from animals to humans. The study showed between 0-19% prevalence of *Histoplasma capsulatum* depending on location.

What is the significance of this study for bat conservation?

This research provides a foundational understanding of the fungal communities present on Australian bent-winged bats. This knowledge is essential for bat conservation efforts, as it establishes a baseline for what is considered 'normal' for these bats. This information can then be used to monitor future changes in these fungal communities, which could indicate emerging threats or changes in the bats' health. The study also highlights the need for continued monitoring for *Histoplasma capsulatum* due to the potential risk it poses to human health.