Brown bear and diversity of airbone algae and cyanobacteria in the Głowoniowa Nyża Cave

[摘要] Of the big mammal taxa, the brown bear (Ursus arctos) is one of a few surviving species and one of the two largestterrestrial carnivorans that have successfully exploited caves. Greenish and blueish patches were collected in August2016 from the cave walls and pine twigs in the pseudokarstic Głowoniowa Nyża Cave in the High Tatra Mountains,southern Poland. These materials were cultured and the first appearance of airborne microorganisms (algae andcyanobacteria) during two-three months of cultivation were observed. Overall, 24 species were identified using lightmicroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The highest number (10) of documented species belonged to Cyanobacteriawith the genus Gloeocapsa the most diverse. We identified ten Chlorophyta species. Only four taxa ofdiatoms were found. No correlation between species diversity and physical parameters (temperature and humidity) wasfound. The materials containing airborne microorganisms growing on the granite walls were most probably brought inby wind, whereas the ones on the twigs were brought in by wind and/or by the bear. The presence of Ursus arctos doesinfluence distribution of airborne microorganisms.

[学科分类] 地质学