Most Popular Papers *
Bioactive potential of microbial isolates from Yoluja cave and Jepirramüin rock shelter, Cabo de la Vela (Colombia)
Juan Sebastián López Caro, Virginia Patricia Roa Angulo, and Alex Alberto González Vargas
- First report of bioactive potential in Colombian cave microorganisms
- Yoluja and Jepirramüin differ in structure and microbial diversity
- Streptomyces isolates show broad antimicrobial activity against pathogens
- Paenibacillus extracts exhibit notable antioxidant capacity by DPPH assay
- Alta Guajira coastal caves are promising sources of bioactive compounds
Why the delay in recognizing terrestrial obligate cave species in the tropics?
Francis G. Howarth
- Several factors explain why the discovery of tropical troglobionts was delayed
- Temperature and humidity are major factors in defining troglobiont distribution
- Troglobionts evolve by an adaptive shift across a cave/surface ecotonal boundary
- Subterranean species and ecosystems are vulnerable and threatened by novel stressors
- Research in tropical caves has expanded our understanding of evolutionary ecology of cave life
The dissolution and conversion of gypsum and anhydrite
Alexander Klimchouk
Hidden thermal signatures reveal the microclimatic influence of scheduled cave tourism
Matt Rowberry, John Gunn, and Andrew Smith
- COVID-19 restrictions created a natural experiment in cave tourism
- Regular tours generated a detectable high-frequency thermal signature
- Thermal disturbances propagated throughout interconnected cave airspaces
- Tour scheduling governed visitor-induced thermal signal emergence
- Frequency-domain analysis revealed hidden anthropogenic signals
The fossil pearls of the Million-Pearls Flowstone, Fairgrounds Room, Fort Stanton Cave, New Mexico USA
Victor J. Polyak, Paula P. Provencio, and Yemane Asmerom
- Two cave pearl layers are preserved in a thin flowstone on an extinct stream bed
- The pearls are referred to as ‘fossil pearls’ due to their unusual occurrence
- The pearls consist of calcite and exhibit layers of white amorphous-like silicate material
- Their nuclei are composed of aggregates of calcite crystals or clay balls
- Timing of the pearl layers are coeval with two Last Glacial stadials
Did seismic events trigger the growth of aragonitic speleothems in Mawmluh Cave, north-east India?
Dildi Dildi, Dana Riechelmann Dr., Michael Weber Dr., Anne Jantschke Dr., Regina Mertz-Kraus Dr., and Denis Scholz Dr.
- Seismic events trigger aragonite growth in speleothems from Mawmluh Cave
- 230Th/U dating identifies a recent calcite-to-aragonite shift between 1859 and 1950 CE
- Earthquakes reactivate fractures, increasing dripwater Mg/Ca ratios through dissolution of dolomite host rock
- Recent aragonite "caps" are widespread across stalagmites in Mawmluh Cave
- Anthropogenic activity may sustain conditions favorablefor aragonite precipitation
Cave minerals of the 21st century: A 2025 review and update
Bogdan P. Onac
- List of cave minerals of the world updated
- 54 new minerals added
- Volcanic caves and lava tubes contributed the most minerals to this update
A world review of fungi, yeasts, and slime molds in caves
Karen J. Vanderwolf, David Malloch, Donald F. McAlpine, and Graham J. Forbes
Visitor perceptions of lampenflora and implications for adaptive show cave management: A case study from Ryusen-do Cave, Japan
Kanato Ando, Kazuhide Nakajima, Shuji Watanabe, Masuo Komukai, and Hidesato Kuwahara
- Visitors initially perceived lampenflora positively
- Ecological information shifted visitors’ perceptions toward conservation
- Cave value and conservation awareness were associated with tourism evaluations
- Environmental education may support socially acceptable lampenflora management
- A social–ecological approach may support adaptive show cave management
The world’s deepest subterranean community - Krubera-Voronja Cave (Western Caucasus)
Alberto Sendra and Ana Sofia P.S. Reboleira
* Based on the average number of full-text downloads per day since the paper was posted.
» Updated as of 10/25/26.
