Microbiota of Otap Head Cave

Anna Popkova,Svetlana Mazina

doi:10.5755/j01.erem.75.3.21106

Abstract

Investigation presents the assessment of species composition and structure of microbiota communities in the Otap Head Cave. Species were identified using standard approaches and cultivation methods. The abundance of algae and cyanobacteria was estimated applying 5-point Brown- Blank scale. Biodiversity of biofouling communities was revealed. Cyanobacteria were the dominant group of phototrophs colonizing cave wall and water streams. The most frequently documented cyanobacteria were species from genera Chroococcus, Gloeocapsa, Oscillatoria, Phormidium. Among micromycetes prevailed Ascomycetes (genera Aspergillus, Penicillum, Trichoderma). The development of so-called lamp flora around artificial lights was not observed. The presence of sulfate-reducing and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria was detected. It can indicate that a small circulation of sulfur occurs in cave at the present time.

Highlights

Hypogean environments represent unique habitats with stable climatic conditions and absence of seasonality
The cave can be divided into three zones: the entrance, which is strongly impacted by surface conditions; the twilight zone, where partially direct or indirect light penetrates; and the deep or dark zone, characterized by an absence of light (Northup & Lavoie, 2001)
Algae and cyanobacteria dominate in the twilight and dark zones

Summary

Introduction

Hypogean environments represent unique habitats with stable climatic conditions and absence of seasonality. The cave can be divided into three zones: the entrance, which is strongly impacted by surface conditions; the twilight zone, where partially direct or indirect light penetrates; and the deep or dark zone, characterized by an absence of light (Northup & Lavoie, 2001). The development of the representatives of orders Magnoliophyta and Pteridophyta (Martinčič et al, 1981; Kubešová, 2001), as well as Bryophyta (Mulec & Kubešová, 2010; Kubešová, 2001), is noted. Algae and cyanobacteria dominate in the twilight and dark zones. The entrance and adjacent zones show a gradient of physical and biological features; in other words, the cave entrance can be considered as an ecotone (Prous et al, 2015)

Methods

Results

Conclusion