Preliminary investigation on fungal community in the Fiume Coperto sulfurous cave.

The well known studies conducted in the Movile cave have emphasised the scientific importance of subterranean habitats characterized by the presence of thermomineral water rich in hydrogen sulfide. Recently other caves with similar hydro-chemical characteristics have been recorded in several areas of the world and in Italy (Azzurra and Sulfurea cave at Capo Palinuro, Southward et al., 1996; Frasassi cave, Galdenzi & Sarbu, 2000). The water surface in this kind of habitat is often covered by a bacteria matrix (“mat”) composed by sulfide-oxiding and methano bacteria. These microrganisms utilize the chemical elements present in the cave water producing organic material that allows the development of a rich biological communty including interesting troglobitic species. Such kind of organic substrate is also the suitable medium for the growth of microfungi. Indeed, as reported by Febbroriello (data unpub.), studies on the mat composition of the Movile cave permitted to identify four genera of fungi: Plasmopora, Gliocladium, Penicillium and Trichoderma. However few studies on the mycoflora of the cave habitats have been conducted until now. These studies are mainly focused on the soil, water and sediments analysis carried out in caves located in Belgium, Argentina, United States. Researches started in 1997 in the Fiume Coperto cave have allowed us to outline peculiar hydro-chemical conditions, characterized by a high content in H2S similar to those found in other sulfurous caves. Although this cave is not completely isolated from the surface environment, we have found in it a rich community partially based on the autoctone energy production. Also in this case the surface of the water is largely covered by a viscose mat similar to those observed in the Movile cave. Within these researches a series of investigations have been addressed to the study of mycoflora inhabiting the Fiume Coperto cave. Particularly mat and samples of the wall have been analysed to check the occurrence of microfungi. The results obtained are discussed in order to understand the ecological role of the fungal community in this particular habitat.