In the United States and Canada, bats use one of two strategies to survive winter. They either migrate south, or they hibernate. Recently, those that hibernate seem to have come under attack by a fungus, Geomyces destructans (Gd). Many infected bats have a delicate, white filamentous mat on their muzzles, which is referred to as white-nose syndrome (WNS). The fungus invades the bat tissues, causes discomfort, and awakens the bat from its hibernation. The bat fidgets and wastes calories, using up its stored fat. The bat then behaves abnormally, leaving its cave during daytime in winter to search for food. Their food, primarily insects, is scarce during the winter, and the bats ultimately starve to death. Since 2006, it is estimated that over six million bats have perished from WNS.
-The Gd mat on the fur of the bats should be expected to consist of ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The delicate, white filamentous mat on the muzzles of infected bats is referred to as white-nose syndrome (WNS), which is caused by the fungus Geomyces destructans (Gd). The Gd mat on the fur of the bats should be expected to consist of hyphae, which are the thread-like structures of fungal cells that comprise the mycelium. Haustoria are specialized structures used by parasitic fungi to invade host cells, yeasts are unicellular fungi, and basidia are structures found in some fungi that produce spores.

In the United States and Canada, Bats Use One of Two