Nutrient availability in tropical caves influences the dynamics of microbial biomass

Autor(es)

de Paula, Caio Cesar Pires ^{[1, 2]} ; Bichuette, Maria Elina ^[1] ; Seleghim, Mirna Helena Regali ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Postgrad Program Ecol & Nat Resources, Sao Carlos - Brazil

^[2] Biol Ctr CAS, Inst Hydrobiol, Dept Aqut Microbial Ecol, Ceske Budejovice - Czech Republic

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: MICROBIOLOGYOPEN; v. 9, n. 7 MAY 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Few studies have evaluated the trophic level in tropical caves, and none related the microbial biomass dynamics in the immobilization of carbon and nitrogen. Here, four tropical caves of Terra Ronca State Park, Brazil, were studied: Angelica, Sao Bernardo, Terra Ronca I, and Terra Ronca II caves. Physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters (microbial biomass and respiration) were estimated in the dry and wet seasons. Sao Bernardo, Terra Ronca I, and Terra Ronca II caves presented higher nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) values in the wet season than in the dry season. On the other hand, the Angelica cave showed larger amounts of nitrogen and lower MBN values in the dry season. These results indicate that caves can be adjusted in two ecological theories known as ``stoichiometric decomposition{''} and ``microbial nitrogen mining{''}-to the effects of nutrient availability on organic matter decomposition. The caves studied showed different environmental dynamics in relation to organic matter decomposition, which allows them to be considered unique and possess specific characteristics. Microbial biomass dynamics can be an important parameter to evaluate the availability of nutrients and ecological dynamics of the trophic network in subterranean environments. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/24763-9 - Diversidade filogenética e funcional de comunidades microbianas subterrâneas do Parque Estadual de Terra Ronca (PETER), São Domingos, Goiás.
• Beneficiário: Mirna Helena Regali Seleghim
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular