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Bacteria isolated from the rocks supporting prehistoricpaintings in two shelters from Sierra de Cazorla, Jaen, Spain

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Abstract

The Sierra de Cazorla, Jaen, Spain, is characterizedby the presence of a number of shelters or smallcavities with important late prehistoric paintings,the so-called schematic rock art painting. Themicrobial population of the rocks supporting paintingsfrom two shelters was investigated. Bacteria isolatedfrom Cueva del Encajero triplicated the number ofthose isolated from Cueva de la Graja, as correspondedto a higher environmental humidity. However, thebacteria isolated from Cueva de la Graja weremetabolically more active and able to use a highernumber of carbon sources than those of Cueva delEncajero. As demonstrated by cluster analysis themicrobial communities from both shelters are related,in spite of the different ecological conditions andgeographical distribution.

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Correspondence to Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez.

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Laiz, L., Hermosin, B., Caballero, B. et al. Bacteria isolated from the rocks supporting prehistoricpaintings in two shelters from Sierra de Cazorla, Jaen, Spain. Aerobiologia 16, 119–124 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007684904350

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007684904350

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