Isolated fungi from Persepolis rock, A study to identify biodeteriorating agents of cultural heritages in Iran

The problem of the deterioration of monuments made of rock is particularly relevant incountries like Iran being rich in such cultural hritage. Stone surface of monuments can be considered as extreme environments that are exposed to high solar radiation, changing temperatures, low nutrient content and sporadic availability of sufficient moisture. These surfaces are colonized by diverse microbial communities which are frequently d minated by stress-tolerant Ascomycota. The ruins of Persepolis are covered by a well microbial growth. Lichens and fungi are known to actively decompose stone surfaces through both physical and chemical processes. Physical alteration of stones was studied by using light microscope, stereomicroscope, scanning electron microscope, maceration technique and periodic acid Schiff staining. In this work, penetration of hyphal bundle as well as individual fungi was observed. Biopitting, Etching, and Crumbling were the most biodeteriorating patterns which were detected in stones of Persepolis. Furthermore, rock inhabiting fungi from Persepolis was isolated. Morphologic, microscopic and molecular characterization of fungal isolates was carried out by using the classic method, DNA extraction and PCR. The results show that the black fungal isolates belong to the Chaetothyriomycetes and Lecanoromycetes which embrace most of black rock inhabiting fungi of Ascomycota. According to molecular analysis,Sarcinomyces sp., Bellemerea alpine, Rhinocladiella sp. and Cladophialophoraminourae was identified. These microorganisms can affect the substratum