A Unique Prokaryotic Assemblage of Wall Biofilm of a Volcanic Cave (Daesubee) in Jeju

Abstract

Cave environment provides special ecosystems for evolution of lives distant from surface environments. We investigated bacterial and archaeal communities of wall biofilm obtained from of a volcanic cave (Daesubee) in Jeju, Republic of Korea. Bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes were PCR-amplified and sequenced using pyrosequencing technologies. Unique prokaryotic communities with low diversities were observed. The main bacterial sequences (ca. 83% of total reads) were affiliated with Pseudonocardia mongoliensis of phylum Actinobacteria and clustered with clones obtained from various caves. Reflection of light on the wall surface of cave might be caused by formation of beads of water caused by hydrophobic filaments of actinobacterial colonies. Main archaeal sequences (ca. 65.7% of total reads) were related with those of I.1a-Associated group of phylum Thaumarchaeota. The sequences were related with that of Candidatus Nitrosotalea devanaterra which was known to oxidize ammonia under acidic condition (ca. pH 5.0). Nutrients leached through volcanic soils contribute formation of unique microbial communities of wall biofilm of cave Daesubee.