Speleomycology of Air in Stopica Cave (Serbia).

ABSTRACT: Fungi can colonize organic matter present in subterranean sites and have a significant role as dwellers in different microniches of cave habitats. In order to analyze the content of airborne fungal propagules in different parts of "Stopića Cave," a touristic site in Serbia, air sampling was carried out in three seasons during 2020, prior to and during the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. Culturable mycobiota was identified using both microscopic techniques and ITS region/BenA gene barcoding, while multivariate analyses were employed to establish the link between fungal taxa and different environmental factors. The maximal measured fungal propagule concentrations were recorded during spring sampling which were based on fungal propagule concentration categories; the cave environment matches the c

SUBMITTER: Stupar M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10064612 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature