Abstract
Despite speleomycological research going back to the 1960s, the biodiversity of many specific groups of micromycetes in underground sites still remains unknown, including keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi. These fungi are a frequent cause of infections in humans and animals. Since subterranean ecosystems are inhabited by various animals and are a great tourist attraction, the goal of our research was to provide the first report of keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungal species isolated from three caves in Tatra Mts., Slovakia (Brestovská, Demänovská Ľadová and Demänovská Slobody). Speleomycological investigation was carried out inside and outside the explored caves by combining culture-based techniques with genetic and phenotypic identifications. A total of 67 fungal isolates were isolated from 24 samples of soil and sediment using Vanbreuseghem hair bait and identified as 18 different fungal species. The study sites located inside the studied caves displayed much more fungal species (17 species) than outside the underground (3 species), and the highest values of the Shannon diversity index of keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungi were noted for the study sites inside the Demänovská Slobody Cave. Overall, Arthroderma quadrifidum was the most common fungal species in all soil and/or sediment samples. To the best of our knowledge, our research has allowed for the first detection of fungal species such as Arthroderma eboreum, Arthrodermainsingulare, Chrysosporiumeuropae, Chrysosporiumsiglerae, Keratinophytonwagneri, and Penicillium charlesii in underground sites. We also showed that the temperature of soil and sediments was negatively correlated with the number of isolated keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungal species in the investigated caves.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilUnderground ecosystems are characterized by unique living conditions [1,2], such as persistent low temperatures over the year in facilities in Central Europe, oscillating from 6 to 10 ◦ C [3,4,5,6], high humidity often close to saturation [7], limited presence of UV radiation and even light [8], limited or even no air exchange with the external environment [9], as well as sometimes an increased CO2 content, especially in the deeper parts of the underground [10,11]
M. cookei strains isolated from Harmanecká Cave were capable of dissolving keratin during in vitro tests and proliferating within 37 ◦ C. Both traits suggest their potential as mammalian pathogens [31]. This promising report has directed us to continue our research and the present study provides the first overview of keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungal species isolated from the Brestovská, Demänovská L’adová and Demänovská Slobody Caves belonging to the Tatra Mountains in north Slovakia
Our study contributes to gaining new knowledge about the diversity of keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungi inhabiting Slovak caves that are open to tourists in Central Europe
Summary
Introduction published maps and institutional affilUnderground ecosystems are characterized by unique living conditions [1,2], such as persistent low temperatures over the year in facilities in Central Europe, oscillating from 6 to 10 ◦ C [3,4,5,6], high humidity often close to saturation [7], limited presence of UV radiation and even light [8], limited or even no air exchange with the external environment [9], as well as sometimes an increased CO2 content, especially in the deeper parts of the underground [10,11]. Cave settlers show peculiar adaptations and cave mycobiota occur mainly in the form of spores or other propagation structures [12,13]. 69% of all cultured fungi, and some common species found in caves belong to Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium genera [12,14,15]. Fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota dominate in underground sites, where they constitute ca. Such extreme environments promote caves and other underground structures iations. Fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota dominate in underground sites, where they constitute ca. 69% of all cultured fungi, and some common species found in caves belong to Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium genera [12,14,15].
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