Cyanobacteria and associated invertebrates in Leontari Cave.

Abstract

The present paper deals with biocommunities of cave Leontari, Attica (Greece) focusing on its lithophytic cyanobacteria, and the associated microfauna. The cave is of archaeological importance, not touristically exploited, naturally lighted through the entrance; it consists of one chamber with poor stalactite and stalagmite limestone decoration. During a survey in three campaigns, samples of cyanobacteria and soil invertebrates were collected from four sites (I-IV) along a light(PAR)-temperature-humidity gradient. Light microscopic observations of natural and cultured material have shown that epilithic and endolithic cyanobacteria were almost the exclusive component of cave photosynthetic microflora. Twenty two taxa were identified including the taxonomically interesting morphotypes Chroococcus spelaeus, Asterocapsa sp. and Chlorogloea sp. Arthropods were found as dominant soil invertebrates represented by nine taxa.