Airborne Fungi in Show Caves from Southern Spain

Abstract

The aerobiology of caves in Southern Spain possesses special characteristics, different from caves located in Northern Spain. Previous studies demonstrated the influence of outdoor air on caves in the north and the existence of two different patterns, depending on the season. In summer there is an abundance of Ascomycota, whereas in winter Basidiomycota predominates, which are related to the periods of stagnation and ventilation, respectively. In caves in Southern Spain the presence of airborne Basidiomycota is scarce and Ascomycota represents the main group of fungi widely distributed across the caves in all seasons. The most characteristic features were the abundant presence of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Parengyodontium album, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Leptobacillium symbioticum, Leptobacillium leptobactrum) and Cladosporium cladosporioides in Cueva del Tesoro, Cueva de Ardales and Gruta de las Maravillas. However, the presence of yeasts of the genera Cutaneotrichosporon, Trichosporon, Cryptococcus, Naganishia, Cystobasidium, Microstroma and Phragmotaenium was exclusive to Gruta de las Maravillas. Fungal hazard in the three show caves were determined using an ecological indicator based on the concentration of spores in cave air.

Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Airborne Fungi in Nerja Cave, Spain

“…The presence of Ascomycota in the two seasons, irrespective of the high or low ventilation period, could be associated with the phototrophic biofilms. Dominguez-Moñino et al [30] related the abundance of Parengyodontium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium in the air of Tesoro Cave (Rincon de la Victoria, Malaga) at some 40 km from Nerja, with the abundant biofilms of cyanobacteria and algae originated by the artificial lighting used for allowing the visits. Nerja Cave houses also abundant phototrophic biofilms near the entrance, just in the Touristic Galleries.…”

“…The spores of Pa. album were also widely distributed in the air of Castañar de Ibor, Ardales, Gruta de las Maravillas, and Tesoro caves [30,38,39]. In addition, Pa. album is common in other subterranean environments [40][41][42][43] and wall paintings, and in this last case associated to arthropods [44][45][46].…”

“…A review on cave fauna reported the presence of many different classes of arthropods in Nerja, including endemisms [47]. The abundant presence of spores of Pa. album and other entomopathogenic fungi in the air in Ardales and Tesoro caves [30] emphasizes the likely role of arthropods as a vector of these fungi.…”

“…The presence of spores of Penicillium, in autumn and winter, in the air of Tesoro Cave, was important [30], as it suggests that this genus is abundant in the air of the caves of Malaga province in periods when ventilation is greater.…”

“…The methodology was thoroughly described by Sanchez-Moral et al [19] and Dominguez-Moñino et al [30]. DNA was extracted from the mycelia of each fungal strain.…”