Intricate microbial structures: The enigma of reticulated filaments

Sedimentology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

ABSTRACT Microorganisms inhabit all possible biosphere ecosystems, including natural and man‐made subterranean environments, which favour the growth of specialized microbial communities under near‐starvation conditions. Among most enigmatic features found in karstic volcanic caves are reticulated filaments, consisting long mineralized filaments forming an open‐mesh with square‐shaped or hexagonal‐shaped reticles. Despite their widespread occurrence detailed morphological documentation, origins, formation mechanisms ecological roles remain enigmatic. This review consolidates current knowledge on addresses theoretical scientific gaps these intricate structures, highlighting association biomineralization processes potential involvement rare uncultivated taxa. Variations sheath composition size suggest multiple groups, potentially bacteria, archaea fungi. study proposes that serve as biosignatures, reflecting complex microbe–mineral interactions local geochemical Their environments rich iron manganese points to biogeochemical cycling roles, while structural complexity suggests adaptive strategies for survival. Future research directions outlined relevance indicators past present activity is highlighted, implications understanding biomineralization, geomicrobiology search life extreme environments.

Language: Английский

Geomicrobiology: Latest Advances and Prospects

Applied Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(8), P. 4321 - 4321

Published: April 14, 2025

Geomicrobiology is an interdisciplinary field that involved the study of role microbes in geosphere [...]

Language: Английский