Microbial Community Characterizing Vermiculations from Karst Caves and Its Role in Their Formation

• Published in: Microbial ecology Vol. 81; no. 4; pp. 884 - 896
• Main Authors: Addesso, Rosangela, Gonzalez-Pimentel, Jose L., D’Angeli, Ilenia M., De Waele, Jo, Saiz-Jimenez, Cesareo, Jurado, Valme, Miller, Ana Z., Cubero, Beatriz, Vigliotta, Giovanni, Baldantoni, Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.05.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acidobacteria; Bacteria - genetics; Biogeochemical cycle; Biogeochemical cycles; Biogeochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Caves; Chemical reduction; Confocal microscopy; Ecology; Electron microscopy; Environmental Microbiology; Field emission microscopy; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Karst; Lasers; Life Sciences; Microbial activity; Microbial Ecology; Microbiology; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Microscopy; Nature Conservation; Next-generation sequencing; Organic matter; Oxidation; Oxidation-reduction potential; Oxidoreductions; Proteobacteria; Redox reactions; Scanning electron microscopy; Scanning microscopy; Strong interactions (field theory); Water Quality/Water Pollution; Vermicular deposits; Cave ecology; Next-generation sequencing; Underground ecosystem; Pertosa-Auletta Cave; Geomicrobiology
• ISSN: 0095-3628; 1432-184X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01623-5

The microbiota associated with vermiculations from karst caves is largely unknown. Vermiculations are enigmatic deposits forming worm-like patterns on cave walls all over the world. They represent a precious focus for geomicrobiological studies aimed at exploring both the microbial life of these ecosystems and the vermiculation genesis. This study comprises the first approach on the microbial communities thriving in Pertosa-Auletta Cave (southern Italy) vermiculations by next-generation sequencing. The most abundant phylum in vermiculations was Proteobacteria , followed by Acidobacteria > Actinobacteria > Nitrospirae > Firmicutes > Planctomycetes > Chloroflexi > Gemmatimonadetes > Bacteroidetes > Latescibacteria . Numerous less-represented taxonomic groups (< 1%), as well as unclassified ones, were also detected. From an ecological point of view, all the groups co-participate in the biogeochemical cycles in these underground environments, mediating oxidation-reduction reactions, promoting host rock dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation, and enriching the matrix in organic matter. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy brought evidence of a strong interaction between the biotic community and the abiotic matrix, supporting the role of microbial communities in the formation process of vermiculations.