TREASURE MAP: RICHNESS OF Penicillium SPECIES IN THE LAPA DO BOQUEIRÃO CAVE IN THE CERRADO OF GOIÁS

Abstract

Although they are a treasure that still needs to be explored in Brazil, fungi play an important ecological role in caves. Mycological studies in Brazilian caves have revealed a surprising and still unknown richness of fungi. The aim of this study was to report the richness of Penicillium species in principal cave in the Cerrado, Brazil. Fungi were isolated from the air and sediment at eight points in the cave and identified on the basis of morphological characteristics and ITS rDNA sequences. A total of 890 colonies (CFU) were counted, of which 178 (100 = air and 78 = sediment) were identified as Penicillium. Combining the two identification tools, representative isolates were identified in 12 species belonging to five sections (Brevicompacta, Citrina, Lanata-Divaricata, Exilicaulis and Ramosum), with the section Citrina having the highest number of species (six), with P. sumatraense having the highest abundance (air = 25 and sediment = 15). Six (50%) species are being reported for the first time in a cave environment, the majority (four) from section Citrina. The report of Penicillium species richness is among the “first clues on the treasure map” hidden in Brazilian caves. This study is an example of the large number of fungal species that are found in caves, suggesting that mycological studies of the cave  environment are important for including fungal data in the management plan of caves with tourist potential in Brazil.