The Structure and Function of Cave Microbiota: A Resource for Discovering New Bioactive Compounds and Modeling Extraterrestrial Life

Dear Colleagues,

Cave microbiota are the diverse communities of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and microeukaryotes, that live in underground cave environments. Caves are characterized by unique conditions like low light, high humidity, stable temperatures, and often low nutrient availability, which select for highly adapted microbial life. The structure of these communities is often stable over time but is influenced by factors like mineral substrates, nutrient availability, and other physicochemical variables such as pH.

Microorganisms are key players in cave formation and modification. They are involved in chemical weathering by producing organic acids and in physical weathering through the growth of fungi, which can break down rocks. The unique chemical environment of caves is a reservoir for novel bacteria, with many isolates showing antibiotic properties. This makes them a valuable resource for finding new antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. Studying Earth's cave microbes provides models for understanding potential life on other planets with similar environments, such as the subsurface of Mars.

The aim of this Special Issue, "The Structure and Function of Cave Microbiota: A Resource for Discovering New Bioactive Compounds and Modeling Extraterrestrial Life", is to compile and present the latest research on the diversity, function, and structure of microbial communities in caves. This includes their roles in cave formation, their adaptation to extreme environments, their impact on biogeochemical cycles, and their potential use in astrobiology and biotechnology. The Special Issue also focuses on the impact of human disturbance on cave ecosystems and the development of new research methods, like next-generation DNA sequencing, to study these microbes.

Because most caves are severely oligotrophic due to a lack of sunlight, they are regarded as harsh habitats. High humidity and persistently low temperatures put cave biota under additional stress in addition to the scarcity of food. Are there microorganisms that are exclusive to and suited to the cave environment? Antibiotics and other bioactive chemicals may be produced in caves. The existence vs. activity of bacteria is one of the major issues; simply because something is present in an environment does not necessarily imply that the environment and the organism have any effect on one another. What effects do microorganisms have on higher creatures, such as parasites and microbial food sources for cave crickets? What microbiomes do species that have adapted to live in caves, like bats, have?

We must adopt a microniche-level perspective. Novel approaches in geology, chemistry, and genetics may provide fresh perspectives on the microbial variety seen in caves. From fundamental distributional studies to experimental research, we require additional data.

We are seeking reviews, distributional surveys, and experimental investigations pertaining to every facet of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial diversity in caves of various kinds for this Special Issue.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ioannis Vagelas
Dr. George Michail
Guest Editors

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