Molecular Characterization of Fungal Communities in Sandstone

This study investigated the fungal community structure present in chemically distinct sandstone horizons. Community fingerprinting (intergenic spacer analysis) and cloning techniques were utilized, in addition to an analysis of the cultivable fungal population, to assess the nature and extent of fungal diversity present on sandstone surfaces. The mineralogical composition of sandstone horizons was found to be poorly defined with each horizon showing a high degree of similarity. Fungal populations were not so strictly confined to a single horizon and sandstone characteristics were not strong enough to drive community structure to the same extent as seen in recent studies (Gleeson et al. 2005; Hutchens et al. 2010). Because sandstone communities inhabit a less-restrictive locale, it would be fitting that community members have not had to adapt to such strong and controlling environments.