On the Biodiversity and Biodeteriogenic Activity of Microbial Communities Present in the Hypogenic Environment of the Escoural Cave, Alentejo, Portugal

Hypogenic caves represent unique environments for the development of specific microbial communities that need to be studied. Caves with rock art pose an additional challenge due fragility paintings and engravings colonization which may induce chemical, mechanical aesthetic alterations. Therefore, it is essential understand thrive in these monitor activity effects on host order better preserve safeguard ancestral artforms. This study aims at investigating Palaeolithic representations found Escoural Cave (Alentejo, Portugal) their decay features. These prehistoric artworks, dating back up 50,000 B.P., are altered environmental conditions inside cave. Microbial cultivation methods combined culture-independent techniques, biomarkers’ viability assays analysis allowed us biodiversity biodeteriogenic within hypogenic environment this important cave site. part a long-term monitoring program envisaged effect biocolonisation population dynamics hypogean environment.