Diversity of fungi associated with petroglyph sites in the Negev Desert, Israel, and their potential role in bioweathering.

ABSTRACT: The petroglyphs of the Negev Desert, Israel, are famous and valuable archaeological remains. Previous studies have investigated the microbial communities associated with petroglyphs and their potential role in stone deterioration; nevertheless, the role of fungi remains unclear. In this study, the fungal communities present on the stone and, as a comparison, in the surrounding environment (soil and air) at Negev petroglyph sites were analyzed by means of culture-dependent and -independent (metagenomic) techniques. The metagenomic results showed a high fungal biodiversity in the soil, and both approaches highlighted the prevalence of species producing melanized, large, thick-walled spores (mainly Alternaria spp.). From the air sampling, mostly Cladosporium spp. were retrieved.

SUBMITTER: Rabbachin L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11257853 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature