Fungal world of cave ecosystem

Abstract

Caves represent a unique ecosystem whose physical and chemical conditions are quite stable. They are considered as extreme environment having severe abiotic conditions, viz., oligotrophic conditions, low temperature, low light intensity, and high humidity yet they harbor a very rich diversity of microbial population. The secondary metabolites secreted by microbial flora of caves may cause chemical reactions with the substrate, contamination of the substrate by pigments and lithogenic processes, litholytic processes, as well as cavern enlargement or speleotherm deposition. Fungi are the important component of cave microbiota playing role as decomposers and parasites. Geomyces destructans and Histoplasma capsulatum are the most widely studied fungi of cave ecosystem. The microbial count and microclimatic conditions of cave are subjected to change with the frequent visitation of tourists in the caves resulting into destabilization of biological equilibrium of the caves and also induction of biochemical changes on the rock surface.