Unearthing limestone fungal diversity: Description of seven novel species from Portugal.

ABSTRACT: Stone-built heritages are found worldwide, and despite stony surfaces being considered a stressful environment with challenging conditions to overcome, research has demonstrated that it can support diverse fungal communities, fostering a unique array of peculiar yet crucial species. These species exhibit a dual nature, being both foe and friend. While these fungi play a considerable role in the deterioration of cultural heritage, their mechanisms of adaptation to unfavourable environments hold great promise for biotechnology. Despite their importance, there is limited information available about these stone dwellers in Portugal. During an experimental survey aimed at isolating fungal species thriving in a deteriorated limestone funerary art piece at the Lemos Pantheon, a national monument

SUBMITTER: Paiva DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11952187 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature