Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ivica Dimkic, Djordje Fira, Tamara Janakiev, Jovana Kabic, Milos Stupar, Marija Nenadic, Nikola Unkovic, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic
Summary: Bats, as flying mammals, are known to be potent vectors and natural reservoir hosts for many infectious viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which are also detected in their excreta. Accelerated deforestation, urbanization, and anthropization have led to overpopulation of bats in urban areas, potentially resulting in new zoonotic disease outbreaks harmful to humans. Therefore, gaining new insights into the microbiome of bat guano from different locations is imperative for the future.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amon J. Armstrong, Faith M. Walker, Colin J. Sobek, Cheri J. Sanville, Stephanie L. Martin, Joseph M. Szewczak
Summary: The use of tree hollows by bats and its impact on different species composition is relatively unknown, highlighting the importance of researching this vital habitat for cavern-dwelling bats. Factors such as ceiling height in hollows and the presence of nearby small trees can influence bat roosting preferences. Researchers found that more bats roosted in hollows with high ceilings and in forests with fewer small trees, providing valuable insights for the management and conservation of bat populations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Steven A. Osofsky, Susan Lieberman, Christian Walzer, Helen L. Lee, Laurel A. Neme
Summary: In order to mitigate future pandemics and prevent worldwide devastation, it is necessary for humanity to stop consuming and utilizing bats, and instead protect their habitats and let them live undisturbed.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Irene Dominguez-Monino, Valme Jurado, Miguel Angel Rogerio-Candelera, Bernardo Hermosin, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez
Summary: The aerobiology of caves in Southern Spain differs from those located in Northern Spain, with a wide distribution of Ascomycota fungi in the south and seasonal variations in the north. The presence of entomopathogenic fungi and Cladosporium cladosporioides is abundant in Southern Spain caves, while yeasts of specific genera are exclusive to certain caves. The ecological hazard of fungi in show caves was determined based on spore concentrations in cave air.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elena Piano, Federico Biagioli, Giuseppe Nicolosi, Claudia Coleine, Anna Poli, Valeria Prigione, Andrea Zanellati, Rosangela Addesso, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Laura Selbmann, Marco Isaia
Summary: Anthropogenic disturbance on natural ecosystems is increasing, affecting all components of the ecosystems. A metacommunity framework is needed to understand the response of different biocoenosis types to human disturbance. Through advanced molecular techniques, sediment communities of Fungi, Bacteria, and Archaea in Italian show caves were investigated to unravel the effects of tourism on their diversity and identify changes in the driving forces of community composition. The study showed that cave tourism directly affects the community of Bacteria and indirectly influences Fungi and Archaea.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. R. Gallant, M. B. Fenton, C. Grooms, W. Bogdanowicz, R. S. Stewart, E. L. Clare, J. P. Smol, J. M. Blais
Summary: The study used the chemical composition of ancient bat guano deposits to track changes in bat foraging habits over the past four millennia, revealing two periods of increased frugivory relative to insectivory.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luis Pilo, Allan Calux, Rafael Scherer, Enrico Bernard
Summary: Ecosystem engineers, such as bats, have the ability to modify their environment by changing the distribution of materials and energy. This study focuses on bats as ecosystem engineers in iron ore caves in the Brazilian Amazonia, and investigates the chemical composition of guano deposits and the effects of bat guano on cave modifications.
Article
Microbiology
Assia Mairi, Abdelaziz Touati, Alix Pantel, Alex Yahiaoui Martinez, Mourad Ahmim, Albert Sotto, Catherine Dunyach-Remy, Jean-Philippe Lavigne
Summary: This study isolated 11 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from bat guano in Algeria, with 4 of them identified as MRSA isolates exhibiting resistance to multiple antibiotics and carrying different virulence genes. The results highlight the potential role of bat guano as an important reservoir of MRSA strains.
Article
Ecology
Rachel E. B. Reid, James T. Waples, David A. Jensen, Christine E. Edwards, Xinyi Liu
Summary: Cave guano deposits can serve as a paleoecological archive for studying past vegetation, climate, and bat diet. Isotope values measured in modern bat guano can be used to understand changes in plant species composition over time in relation to climate and land use.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Luiza Santos Reis, Jose Tasso Felix Guimaraes, Qiang Yao, Cecilia Yuki Gomes de Sa, Paulo Eduardo De Oliveira
Summary: This study compared the modern pollen records from bat guano and lake sediments and found that the guano samples exhibited high abundance and richness of pollen, primarily transported into caves by bats with minor contributions from airborne and waterborne transport. Compared to lake sediments, bat guano is a better natural trap for recording the composition and structure of local vegetation changes.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
J. Manuel Vidal-Cordero, Jesus Nogueras, Elena Tena
Summary: This study reports the interaction between seven different ant species and droppings of two bat species in epigean environments. The ants transport the droppings as a food resource, impacting fecal degradation and nutrient cycling. This interaction is especially important in nutrient-poor environments.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nora Tunde Lange-Enyedi, Peter Nemeth, Andrea K. Borsodi, Reka Halmy, Gyorgy Czuppon, Ivett Kovacs, Szabolcs Leel-Ossy, Attila Demeny, Judit Makk
Summary: The study aimed to reveal and compare the microbiota of different carbonate speleothems from two different epigenic karst regions in Hungary. It found that oligo-heterotrophic bacteria are widespread in karst caves and play an active role in CaCO3 formation.
GEOMICROBIOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anthoula A. Argyri, Agapi I. Doulgeraki, Eftychia G. Varla, Vasiliki C. Bikouli, Pantelis I. Natskoulis, Serkos A. Haroutounian, Georgios A. Moulas, Chrysoula C. Tassou, Nikos G. Chorianopoulos
Summary: The study found that essential oils extracted from Greek plants have antimicrobial activity against cave microorganisms, with oregano and savory oils proving most effective by inhibiting the growth of all tested bacteria and fungi. This demonstrates the potential commercial use of herbal biocides as alternatives to conventional biocides.
Article
Microbiology
Polona Zalar, Ana Gubensek, Cene Gostincar, Rok Kostanjsek, Lilijana Bizjak-Mali, Nina Gunde-Cimerman
Summary: This study provides the first comprehensive report on the cultivable skin mycobiome of Proteus anguinus in both natural and captive environments, with a focus on potentially pathogenic fungi and oomycetes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Souraya Sakoui, Reda Derdak, Boutaina Addoum, Oana Lelia Pop, Dan Cristian Vodnar, Ramona Suharoschi, Abdelaziz Soukri, Bouchra El Khalfi
Summary: This research investigated the properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from bat guano, including their tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions, adhesion properties, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant property. Five bacteria showed antibacterial and beta-galactosidase activity, and all strains showed resistance to gastrointestinal conditions and high antioxidant property. Principal Component Analysis revealed that E. gallinarum HBUAS52471, E. mundtii MAV6B, E. faecium V6-112, and B. wehenstephensis B31 are the most promising probiotic strains in this study.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
R. Gerrits, R. Wirth, A. Schreiber, I Feldmann, N. Knabe, J. Schott, L. G. Benning, A. A. Gorbushina
Summary: Many microorganisms, including fungi, weather minerals through the formation of biofilms on their surfaces. Experimental results suggest that the specific traits of fungal biofilms have minimal impact on mineral weathering.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Lena F. Estensmo, Sundy Maurice, Luis Morgado, Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Inger Skrede, Havard Kauserud
Summary: DNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool for analyzing complex ecological communities, but methodological challenges arise from intraspecific variation, which can lead to oversplitting of species. The study on local populations of eleven fungal species revealed allelic diversity in the ITS2 region, showing high correspondence between Sanger sequencing and high throughput sequencing, with the need for additional clustering steps for species-level resolution.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Estela Climent, Raul Gotor, Charlie Tobias, Jeremy Bell, Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Knut Rurack
Summary: The study introduces a rapid test method for detecting microbial genomic DNA in aqueous fuel extracts, utilizing test strips coated with fluorescent molecular beacons and a smartphone detection system. This method allows for on-site monitoring of microbial contamination in fuel in a rapid and simple manner, with the ability to detect DNA extracts from bacteria and fungi.
Article
Archaeology
Chiara Tonon, Romy Breitenbach, Oliver Voigt, Francesco Turci, Anna A. Gorbushina, Sergio E. Favero-Longo
Summary: Black fungi can penetrate, deteriorate, and discolor stone surfaces, posing a significant issue for cultural heritage conservation. Research shows that different morphologies and pigments of black fungi have varying effects on penetration mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez, Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Jose A. Gonzalez-Perez, Bernardo Hermosin
Summary: Analytical pyrolysis is a valuable tool for investigating the chemical structure of macromolecules, but may present limitations when dealing with complex molecules like fungal melanins. It allows for characterization of compounds linked to melanin, but can be hindered by the complexity and diversity of components in the sample.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eva Lena F. Estensmo, Synnove Smebye Botnen, Sundy Maurice, Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Luis Morgado, Ingeborg Bjorvand Engh, Klaus Hoiland, Inger Skrede, Havard Kauserud
Summary: The study analyzed the indoor mycobiomes of 125 daycare centers in Norway, revealing that indoor fungal composition is influenced by various factors including indoor and outdoor conditions, geographic location, and building features. Yeasts and molds were found to dominate the indoor mycobiomes, indicating a potential impact on children's health and emphasizing the importance of further research in this area.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Svetoslav G. Dimov, Lyuben Zagorchev, Mihail Iliev, Tereza Dekova, Ralitza Ilieva, Meglena Kitanova, Dimitrina Georgieva-Miteva, Martin Dimitrov, Slavil Peykov
Summary: This study conducted a metagenomics snapshot study of the fungal composition of bee bread in four locations in Bulgaria at the end of June 2020, revealing both known beneficial fungal species and previously unreported dominant fungal genera. It was found that anthropogenic pressure can negatively influence the fungal composition of bee bread in terms of pathogenic species presence and beneficial fungi ratio decrease.
Article
Soil Science
Svenja C. Stock, Moritz Koester, Francisco Najera, Jens Boy, Francisco Matus, Carolina Merino, Khaled Abdallah, Sandra Spielvogel, Anna A. Gorbushina, Michaela A. Dippold, Yakov Kuzyakov
Summary: The nutrient acquisition strategies of plants, particularly regarding nitrogen and potassium, vary depending on the environmental conditions and habitats. The accessibility of nutrients in the topsoil influences the plants' ability to absorb nutrients from deeper soil layers, thereby regulating water flow and mass transport within ecosystems.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jessica Rieder, Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Omneya A. Osman, Irene Adrian-Kalchhauser, Alexander Eiler
Summary: Field-ready qPCR assays with extended shelf-life are developed and tested for monitoring emerging aquatic pathogens, enabling quick conservation and management decisions.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pedro Maria Martin-Sanchez, Maria Nunez, Eva Lena Fjeld Estensmo, Inger Skrede, Havard Kauserud
Summary: This comparative study evaluated the feasibility of using microscopy and DNA analysis for assessing mold damages in residential buildings in Oslo. The results showed that both methods provided consistent results for the mold samples, with 80% of the microscopy-identified taxa confirmed by DNA analysis. The community composition of mold and dust samples differed significantly, with a higher alpha diversity in the dust. This study provides important insights for understanding mold damages in buildings.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Romy Breitenbach, Ruben Gerrits, Polina Dementyeva, Nicole Knabe, Julia Schumacher, Ines Feldmann, Jorg Radnik, Masahiro Ryo, Anna A. Gorbushina
Summary: The roles of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in mineral attachment and weathering were investigated using genetically modified biofilms of Knufia petricola strain A95. Mutants deficient in melanin and/or carotenoid synthesis were grown as air-exposed biofilms. The presence of melanin affected the quantity and composition of EPS, with melanin-producing strains showing stronger attachment to the mineral olivine and faster dissolution rates. The pullulan-related glycosidic linkages in EPS enable fungal attachment and weathering, while phenolic intermediates released by melanin synthesis may enhance olivine dissolution. These findings highlight the importance of compositional and quantitative analyses of biofilm microenvironments.
NPJ MATERIALS DEGRADATION
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Eileen A. Erdmann, Sarah Nitsche, Anna A. Gorbushina, Julia Schumacher
Summary: Black microcolonial fungi, stress-tolerant and persistent dwellers in extreme habitats, can now be studied using advanced genetic tools for a more detailed understanding of their survival mechanisms and interactions.
FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mihail Iliev, Ralitsa Ilieva, Boyanka Angelova, Daniela Paneva, Zara Cherkezova-Zheleva, Veneta Groudeva, Ivan Nedkov
Summary: A comprehensive study was conducted on the air quality in a limited urban area in Sofia, Bulgaria during the COVID-19 quarantine measures in 2020-2021. The study focused on particulate matter (PM) concentrations, their composition, microbial content, and seasonal variations. PM pollution peaks were found to be related to car traffic, industry, and heating sources, with microbiota composition showing seasonal changes and correlations with PM levels.
COMPTES RENDUS DE L ACADEMIE BULGARE DES SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Veneta Groudeva, Irena Spasova, Stoyan Groudev, Marina Nicolova, Plamen Georgiev, Mihail Iliev, Ralitsa Ilieva
Summary: After rainfall, a large dump of low-grade uranium ores and mining wastes in Kurilo, Bulgaria, produced acid drainage waters with high concentrations of toxic heavy metals, radionuclides, arsenic, and sulphates. This pollution was caused by acidophilic chemolithotrophic bacteria oxidizing sulphide minerals and tetravalent uranium in the dump. Efforts to prevent these processes using alkalizing minerals were only temporarily effective, so the polluted waters were treated efficiently with a passive system like constructed wetlands.
COMPTES RENDUS DE L ACADEMIE BULGARE DES SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivan Grigorov, Chavdar Ghelev, Georgi Kolarov, Mihail Iliev, Boyanka Angelova, Ralitsa Ilieva, Veneta Groudeva, Zara Cherkezova-Zheleva, Dimitur Stoyanov, Ivan Nedkov
Summary: The study demonstrates that remote sensing combined with in situ sampling can be highly effective for both quantitative and qualitative assessment of particulate matter (PM).
COMPTES RENDUS DE L ACADEMIE BULGARE DES SCIENCES
(2021)