Colored Microbial Coatings in Show Caves from the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador): First Microbiological Approach

A groundbreaking study reveals the hidden microbial diversity thriving within the subterranean world of the Galápagos Islands, particularly in their volcanic caves. Using advanced field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), researchers identified abundant filamentous bacteria and Actinobacteria-like cells encased in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on moonmilk and coralloid speleothems from Santa Cruz Island's Bellavista and Royal Palm Caves. Analysis of 16S rDNA uncovered bacterial phylotypes linked to critical biogeochemical cycles, including carbon, nitrogen, iron, and sulfur, alongside others associated with pollutants. This first microbiological approach underscores the ecological significance of these subterranean geoheritage sites, emphasizing their conservation value as unique ecosystems within one of Earth's most biodiverse regions.

Miller, A. Z., García-Sánchez, A. M., L. Coutinho, M., Costa Pereira, M. F., Gázquez, F., Calaforra, J. M., Forti, P., Martínez-Frías, J., Toulkeridis, T., Caldeira, A. T., & Saiz-Jimenez, C. (2020). Colored Microbial Coatings in Show Caves from the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador): First Microbiological Approach. Coatings, 10(11), 1134. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings10111134