Infection severity and host body condition
The degree of tissue invasion and weight loss varied across the three
sites (Fig. 3). Corresponding to the temperature-dependent pathogen
growth rate, the severity of infection at Extirpated (Warm + Wet) was
significantly higher than that observed at the similarly wet site,
Persisting 2 (Cold + Wet) (Fig. 3A; Supplemental Table 3). However,
contrary to the temperature-dependent pathogen growth rate observed,
bats at Persisting 1 (Cold + Dry) displayed significantly higher
infection severity than that observed at Persisting 2 (Cold + Wet) and
did not significantly differ from that observed in Extirpated (Warm +
Wet). This pattern of tissue invasion was mirrored by the degree of
weight loss observed across the sites, as bats in Persisting 2 (Cold +
Wet) had lower weight loss compared to either of the other sites (fig.
3B; Supplemental Table 4). The particularly dry conditions within
Persisting 1 (Cold + Dry) may have resulted in the deviation from the
temperature-pathogen growth relationship, exacerbating infection
severity and weight loss despite a relatively low level of pathogen
growth.