Pseudogymnoascus destructans

Pseudogymnoascus destructans (formerly known as Geomyces destructans) is a psychrophilic (cold-loving) fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fatal disease that has devastated bat populations in parts of the United States and Canada. Unlike species of Geomyces, P. destructans forms asymmetrically curved conidia. Pseudogymnoascus destructans grows very slowly on artificial media and cannot grow at temperatures above 20 °C. It can grow around 4 °C to 20 °C, which encompasses the temperatures found in winter bat hibernacula. Phylogenic evaluation has revealed this organism should be reclassified under the family Pseudeurotiaceae, changing its name to Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

Emaciation is considered the ultimate cause of mortality for the bats who are infected with Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The disease causes a disruption in the normal hibernation cycle where the animal is in a state of torpor and leads to the bats arising form their hibernaculum too early and depleting their fat supply.