Lack of cave-associated mammals influences the fungal assemblages of insular solution caves in eastern Canada

Abstract

The biogeography of cave fungi and factors that influence community composition are poorly known. The movement of animals into caves from the outside environment is thought to be one factor that affects cave mycota. Islands often have different faunal assemblages from the mainland, and this may affect the fungal diversity of island caves. In 2014 we swabbed walls in three natural solution caves on Anticosti Island, Quebec, to determine the composition of cave fungal assemblages present relative to well-studied nearby mainland sites. At least one of these caves, Grotteà la Patate in Anticosti National Park, appears to support overwintering bats. Culture-dependent methods were used to establish pure cultures, and fungi were identified by a combination of morphology and genetic sequencing. A total of 54 fungal taxa were identified, with a mean of 7.4 6 3.9 taxa per swab. The most common taxa isolated were Penicillium spp., Pseudogymnoascus pannorum sensu lato, P. roseus, Trichoderma sp., Cladosporium spp., Thysanophora spp., Mucor sp., and Trichosporon dulcitum. Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative agent of the fungal disease white-nose syndrome in bats, was not detected, and we conclude that Pd was not present in the three sampled caves as of summer 2014. Two of the caves did not appear to be suitable bat hibernacula based on microclimate, although diverse fungal assemblages were detected on the walls. Several other fungal taxa common to bat hibernacula on the mainland, in addition to Pd, were lacking from Anticosti Island caves. We suggest that fungal assemblages on Anticosti Island are influenced by the absence of non-volant cave-visiting mammals on the island, particularly porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) and raccoons (Procyon lotor), both frequent cave associates elsewhere in Maritime Canada.

Evaluation of Plant Origin Essential Oils as Herbal Biocides for the Protection of Caves Belonging to Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites

“…Penicillium (9 isolates) was the most apparent genus followed by Clonostachys (5), Fusarium (4), Doratomyces (4), Cephalotrichum (3), Talaromyces (2), Acremonium (2), Xenoacremonium (2), Trichurus (1) and Cladosporium (1). Penicillium [ 4 , 15 , 18 , 21 , 29 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ] and Fusarium [ 4 , 18 , 21 , 29 , 66 , 72 , 74 ] are two of the most reported fungi present in caves. Clonostachys [ 21 , 29 , 68 , 72 , 74 ], Doratomyces [ 21 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 71 , 72 ], Cephalotrichum [ 21 , 29 , 68 , 69 , 74 ], Talaromyces [ 21 , 68 , 69 , 72 , 73 , 74 ], Acremonium [ …”

“…Penicillium [ 4 , 15 , 18 , 21 , 29 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ] and Fusarium [ 4 , 18 , 21 , 29 , 66 , 72 , 74 ] are two of the most reported fungi present in caves. Clonostachys [ 21 , 29 , 68 , 72 , 74 ], Doratomyces [ 21 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 71 , 72 ], Cephalotrichum [ 21 , 29 , 68 , 69 , 74 ], Talaromyces [ 21 , 68 , 69 , 72 , 73 , 74 ], Acremonium [ 15 , 18 , 21 , 29 , 66 ,…”

“…All the isolated fungi of the study belonged to the phylum Ascomycota and more specifically in the classes Sordariomycetes (11 isolates), Eurotiomycetes (7 isolates) and Dothideomycetes (1 isolate) (Table 3, Supplementary Table S2). Ascomycota is usually the dominating phylum along the cave mycobiota, with Zygomycota and Basidiomycota being less present [4,[13][14][15]18,[66][67][68][69]. Penicillium (9 isolates) was the most apparent genus followed by Clonostachys (5), Fusarium (4), Doratomyces (4), Cephalotrichum (3), Talaromyces In this study, the retrieval of cyanobacteria or yeasts was not feasible from the specific spots of the cave walls covered by dark stains (either by swab sampling or by small weathered pieces of rocks).…”

“…2), Acremonium (2), Xenoacremonium (2), Trichurus (1) and Cladosporium (1). Penicillium[4,15,18,21,29,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74] and Fusarium[4,18,21,29,66,72,74] are two of the most reported fungi present in caves. Clonostachys [21,29,68,72,74], Doratomyces [21,66-68,71,72], Cephalotrichum [21,29,68,69,74], Talaromyces [21,68,69,72-74], Acremonium [15,18,21,29,66-69,72,75,76], Xenoacremonium [68], Trichurus[70,71] and Cladosporium[4,15,18,21,29,66- 70,72,74,75], were also identified in previous studies.…”

No Change Detected in Culturable Fungal Assemblages on Cave Walls in Eastern Canada with the Introduction of Pseudogymnoascus destructans

“…This is unlike Glebe Mine, Kitts Cave, and White Cave, where porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) or beavers (Castor canadensis) introduce significant quantities of organic matter (dung and vegetation) which may increase fungal diversity. In [42], it was found that on Anticosti Island, Quebec, a lack of mammals associated with caves was correlated with the absence of some fungi. Organic matter on the floor of caves may also produce gases that serve as nutrition sources for microbes on cave walls [9].…”