Microbial diversity and proxy species for human impact in Italian karst caves.

ABSTRACT: To date, the highly adapted cave microbial communities are challenged by the expanding anthropization of these subterranean habitats. Although recent advances in characterizing show-caves microbiome composition and functionality, the anthropic effect on promoting the establishment, or reducing the presence of specific microbial guilds has never been studied in detail. This work aims to investigate the whole microbiome (Fungi, Algae, Bacteria and Archaea) of four Italian show-caves, displaying different environmental and geo-morphological conditions and one recently discovered natural cave to highlight potential human-induced microbial traits alterations. Results indicate how show-caves share common microbial traits in contrast to the natural one; the first are characterized by microorganis

SUBMITTER: Biagioli F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9839721 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature