When scientists first noticed that bats were dying, many different competing hypotheses were proposed. One hypothesis was that the white-nose syndrome (WNS) was a secondary infection caused by an underlying viral infection. Based on this alternate hypothesis, which of the following represents one or more possible predictions?

White nose syndrome is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The fungus thrives in the cold and wet microclimate of caves and abandoned mines. Several species of bats need this type of cold and wet microclimates for hibernation.

Explanation:

It received this name due to the "white fluff" that grows on the nose and snout, and sometimes on the wings, ears and tail. The white fungus is not always visible, and is usually not present when bats are found outside their hiding places or hibernation sites. The fungus invades the deep tissue of the skin and causes great damage. The infection causes bats to wake up from hibernation during winter, which consumes their fat stores, producing hunger and dehydration before spring, when insects abound, the food source. The abnormal presence of bats near cliffs, rocks or in the entrances of caves or mines during the winter, leaving and flying during the day in the cold months of winter, and dead or lethargic bats on the ground are behaviors related to this disease.