Microbial tapestry of the Shulgan-Tash cave (Southern Ural, Russia): influences of environmental factors on the taxonomic composition of the cave biofilms.

Background: Cave biotopes are characterized by stable low temperatures, high humidity, and scarcity of organic substrates. Despite the harsh oligotrophic conditions, they are often inhabited by rich microbial communities. Abundant fouling with a wide range of morphology and coloration of colonies covers the walls of the Shulgan-Tash cave in the Southern Urals.

The Novel Strain Acidomyces acidophilum Isolated from Acidophilic Biofilms (Snottites) Located in the Sheki-Heh Cave (North Caucasus).

A novel acidophilic fungal strain isolated from snottites in the active sulfuric acid speleogenesis (SAS) Sheki-Heh Cave (North Caucasus, Chechen Republic) was identified and characterized. The Sheki-Heh Cave is one of three cavities of the joint SAS speleosystem; to date, it remains the only of such cave explored in Russia. Highly acidic biofilms termed snottites are found sporadically on the cave roof in sulfurous water degassing zones.