Isolation and existence of imperfect fungi in caves

Two caves in West Virginia and one in Virginia were investigated to determine the presence of imperfect fungi. Nineteen imperfect genera were recovered by employing the following techniques: soil dilution; Rossi-Cholodny slide; Warcup soil plate; air-sampling; cave water sampling; percolating water sampling; and isolations from various debris found in the caves. The most frequently recovered fungi resided in the genera, Altenaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Curvalaria, and Penicillium. Most fungi appeared to enter the caves by percolating water and/or air circulating into the caves. The above fungi were grown in liquid and agar cultures at 25°C and at a temperature which approximated that of the caves (12°C ± 2). Growth as determined by dry weights showed that Aspergillus, Penicillium and Altenaria grew as well or better at 12°C, whereas Cladosporium and Curvalaria grew better at 25°C.