Lampenflora of Lipska Cave, Montenegro

Abstract

The composition of phototrophic and microfungal communities in the Lipska show cave has been studied. Species were identified from 12 areas containing visible lampenflora, localized throughout the cave, and from 8 sites within the illuminated zone of the cave's natural entrance. Relative occurrence and relative abundance were calculated for the species detected. In total 29 phototrophic species were identified, including 17 species of algae and cyanobacteria, and 12 bryophyte species. Cyanobacteria were the dominant group of phototrophs within the composition of the lampenflora communities. Leptolyngbya tenuis and Gloeocapsa compacta dominated in the lampenflora communities, whereas L. tenuis and Chroococcus minutus had the highest abundance in the natural entrance zone. The dominant species of green algae both in the natural entrance zone and within the lampenflora communities were Stichococcus bacillaris and Chlorella vulgaris. Fissidens taxifolius and Brachythecium tommasinii dominated in the composition of the lampenflora communities, while Entodon schleicheri and Tortella sp. had the highest abundance in the natural entrance zone. Additionally, 19 species of microfungi were identified, with Penicillium chrysogenum and P. purpurascens considered as the dominant species in the composition of the lampenflora, with P. simplicissimum and Fusarium solani dominating in the natural entrance zone. It is presumed that the further development of lampenflora communities should proceed in line with an increase in the number of mosses. © British Cave Research Association 201