Burgoyne, Jake; Leavitt, Steve (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Leavitt, Steve (Life Sciences, Biology)
In show caves, artificially lighting is intended to highlight intricate cave formations for visitors. However, as an unintended consequence, artificial lighting promotes the growth of diverse biofilm communities termed Lampenflora that gain their energy from these novel light sources. Lampenflora, which generally consist of algae and cyanobacteria, discolor formations and introduce novel ecological interactions in simple cave ecosystems. Lampenflora communities have been understudied mainly due to technological limitations and difficult accessibility. However, by characterizing these communities, we can better monitor their impact and develop effective strategies for their removal. Using metagenomic high-throughput sequencing, this research provides the first molecular-based perspective into lampenflora diversity in cave systems in the Great Basin. The data collected, generated, and analyzed is vital in understanding Lampenflora biodiversity and how these communities develop. Furthermore, it offers ecologists a novel perspective on the use molecular detection to understand biodiversity within cave systems.