file: ianmac
B&B cave Canada
initial samples in polybags

Organism: BB1

stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  +     MORPHOLOGY:  r     width:  1     length:  1.5     microscopic appearance:  chains     biome:  0    

Closest match:

(1) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 3
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

(2) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 2
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

(3) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 1
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

Organism: BB2

stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  c     diameter:  1.0     width:  1.0     length:  1.0     biome:  0    

Closest match:

(1) Clathrochloris sulfurica
100.00% ( 4 / 4 )

(2) Rhodopseudomonas capsulata
66.67% ( 2 / 3 )

(3) Prosthecochloris aestuarii
66.67% ( 2 / 3 )


pdylime was made up from peptone dextrose yeast agar with limestone solution added

Organism: ib pdylime yellow

Surface:  yellow shiny     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     width:  0.25     length:  0.5     biome:  0    

Closest match:

(1) Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1
60.00% ( 3 / 5 )

(2) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 3
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

(3) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 3
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

Organism: ib pdylime yellow

Surface:  yellow shiny     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     width:  0.25     length:  0.5     biome:  0    

Closest match:

(1) Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1
60.00% ( 3 / 5 )

(2) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 3
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

(3) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 3
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

Organism: ib pdylime pink

Surface:  pink shiny     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     biome:  0    

Closest match:

(1) Yersinia ruckeri
66.67% ( 2 / 3 )

(2) Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
66.67% ( 2 / 3 )

(3) Yersinia pestis
66.67% ( 2 / 3 )

Organism: ib pdylime fringe

Surface:  pink     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  b     width:  1     length:  2.5     biome:  0    

Closest match:

(1) Sporosarcina
25.00% ( 1 / 4 )

(2) Sporolactobacillus
25.00% ( 1 / 4 )

(3) Planococcus
25.00% ( 1 / 4 )

Organism: ib outerbag 2

Surface:  no growth     biome:  0    

Organism: ian swab2

stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     catalase:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  c     diameter:  1.425     width:  1.425     length:  1.425     biome:  0    

Closest match:

(1) Thiocapsa pfennigii
100.00% ( 4 / 4 )

(2) Lactobacillus
40.00% ( 2 / 5 )

(3) Bacillus
20.00% ( 1 / 5 )


Samples were collected on Saturday August 21 2004 from two main sites. Ian McKenzie
Group One is in the passage north of the entrance, and is just within sight of dim, filtered daylight.
These formations are slightly moist but firm in texture, the walls and surrounding passage are dry .

Organism: group1 outer bag bacteria 1

Surface:  yellow lobes     biome:  0    

Organism: group1 outer bag bacteria 2

Surface:  yellow     biome:  0    


Although it had rained the day before, Formation One was not dripping as before, so no water samples
were collected.
Formation One measures 23cm x 16cm and is 22cm high.
1 came from Formation One, at the middle of the side
facing towards the centre of the passage (right
side as you look towards entrance).

Organism: ib 1 edge

Surface:  cream dull     LUX:  2     biome:  11    




2 came from Formation Two, middle of the side
facing away from the entrance (side facing you as you
look towards the entrance).
Formation Two has
previously been described as 'deflated' in shape, but upon closer inspection may be a small sphere with
a second deposition hanging off one side. It is 19cm.x.-l4cm (tapering to 12cm) and 21cm high.

Organism: ib 2 pink

Surface:  pink     catalase:  +     LUX:  2     biome:  12    

Closest match:

(1) Yersinia ruckeri
50.00% ( 1 / 2 )

(2) Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
50.00% ( 1 / 2 )

(3) Yersinia pestis
50.00% ( 1 / 2 )

Organism: ib 2 white

Surface:  white     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     catalase:  +     MORPHOLOGY:  r     width:  1     length:  3     LUX:  2     biome:  12    

Closest match:

(1) Yersinia ruckeri
50.00% ( 3 / 6 )

(2) Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
50.00% ( 3 / 6 )

(3) Yersinia pestis
50.00% ( 3 / 6 )

Organism: ib 2 yellow

Surface:  yellow shiny     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     catalase:  +     MORPHOLOGY:  b     width:  2     length:  3     LUX:  2     biome:  12    

Closest match:

(1) Bacillus
40.00% ( 2 / 5 )

(2) Lactobacillus
20.00% ( 1 / 5 )

Organism: ian-2

stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  +     MORPHOLOGY:  r     width:  1.0     length:  5.0     microscopic appearance:  chains     LUX:  2     biome:  12    

Closest match:

(1) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 3
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

(2) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 2
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )

(3) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 1
50.00% ( 2 / 4 )




3 came from the bottom of Formation Three.
Formation Three, the smallest in ~ x 11 cm x 11 cm, and was observed as having a small,
hard broccoli-like spray erupting from the bottom entrance side; it is hard to say whether this is the
substrate for the 'BALL' formation or was formed subsequently. However other broccoli-like formations
were observed elsewhere in the cave (see photo).

Organism: ib 3

Surface:  no growth pdy     LUX:  2     biome:  13    


3.1 came from one of the hard broccoli-like nodules
that erupt from the bottom of Formation Three
towards the entrance side.

Organism: ib 3.1

Surface:  contaminant    




X came from a ceiling formation that may be a BALL
formation that is irregular in shape and attached ~
fully to the ceiling, a short distance
closer to the entrance.

Organism: ian-x.1

Surface:  cream shiny     arginine:  -     TSI GAS:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     tsi:  -     TSI BUTT:  -     TSI H2S:  -     TSI SLANT:  -     urease:  -     sellers:  -     nitrate:  -     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     gluOxa:  -     nitrite to N2:  -     LUX:  2     biome:  1x    

Closest match:

(1) Acinetobacter lwoffii
72.73% ( 8 / 11 )

(2) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
23.53% ( 4 / 17 )

(3) Arizona
16.67% ( 1 / 6 )

Organism: ib X

Surface:  several bacteria some lobed     LUX:  2     biome:  1x    




W A came from the wall (right as you
face the entrance) closest to
Formation Two, where the wall
covering is a dry and flaky coating.

Organism: ian-wa

microscopic appearance:  amoeba     biome:  1wa    




WB came from a shelf below W A sample site,
where the wall covering is dry hard nodules.

Organism: ian-wb.1

Surface:  cream smooth     arginine:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     catalase:  -     indole:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     urease:  -     voges proskauer:  -     sellers:  -     nitrate:  -     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     gluOxa:  -     width:  1.0     length:  3.0     microscopic appearance:  chains silica chips     nitrite to N2:  -     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Acinetobacter lwoffii
66.67% ( 8 / 12 )

(2) Yersinia pestis
53.85% ( 7 / 13 )

(3) Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
46.15% ( 6 / 13 )

Organism: ian-wb.2

Surface:  dull rough     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     catalase:  -     oxidase:  +     urease:  -     voges proskauer:  -     nitrate:  +     microscopic appearance:  difficult     nitrite to N2:  -     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
37.50% ( 3 / 8 )

(2) Yersinia pestis
37.50% ( 3 / 8 )

(3) Yersinia kristensenii
37.50% ( 3 / 8 )

Organism: ian-wb.3

Surface:  purple smooth     arginine:  -     TSI GAS:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     catalase:  +     oxidase:  +     tsi:  -     TSI BUTT:  -     TSI H2S:  -     TSI SLANT:  -     urease:  +     voges proskauer:  -     sellers:  +     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     gluOxa:  -     microscopic appearance:  see bergy     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
35.29% ( 6 / 17 )

(2) Agrobacterium rhizogenes Biovar 2
33.33% ( 2 / 6 )

(3) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 2
16.67% ( 1 / 6 )

Organism: ian-wb.4

stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     flagella:  +     MORPHOLOGY:  r     Motility:  +     width:  0     length:  1.5     microscopic appearance:  pointed     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Acinetobacter lwoffii
72.73% ( 8 / 11 )

(2) Acinetobacter anitratum
54.55% ( 6 / 11 )

(3) Kurthia
44.44% ( 4 / 9 )

Organism: ian-wb.4a

Surface:  spore     arginine:  -     TSI GAS:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     catalase:  +     indole:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     oxidase:  +     tsi:  -     TSI BUTT:  -     TSI H2S:  -     TSI SLANT:  -     urease:  -     voges proskauer:  -     sellers:  +     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     gluOxa:  -     width:  0     length:  3     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
44.44% ( 8 / 18 )

(2) Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1
40.00% ( 6 / 15 )

(3) Agrobacterium rhizogenes Biovar 2
36.36% ( 4 / 11 )

Organism: ian-wb.4b

Surface:  large     arginine:  -     TSI GAS:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     catalase:  +     indole:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  c     oxidase:  +     tsi:  -     TSI BUTT:  -     TSI H2S:  -     TSI SLANT:  -     urease:  -     voges proskauer:  -     sellers:  +     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     diameter:  3.5     gluOxa:  -     width:  3.5     length:  3.5     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Acinetobacter lwoffii
72.73% ( 8 / 11 )

(2) Acinetobacter anitratum
54.55% ( 6 / 11 )

(3) Kurthia
44.44% ( 4 / 9 )

Organism: ian-wb.5a

Surface:  spore     arginine:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  +     catalase:  +     indole:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     oxidase:  +     urease:  -     voges proskauer:  -     sellers:  +     nitrate:  -     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     gluOxa:  -     width:  0     length:  3     nitrite to N2:  -     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Acinetobacter lwoffii
76.92% ( 10 / 13 )

(2) Acinetobacter anitratum
61.54% ( 8 / 13 )

(3) Yersinia pestis
50.00% ( 7 / 14 )

Organism: ian-wb.5b

Surface:  large     arginine:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  +     catalase:  +     indole:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  c     oxidase:  +     urease:  -     voges proskauer:  -     sellers:  +     nitrate:  -     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     diameter:  3.5     gluOxa:  -     width:  3.5     length:  3.5     nitrite to N2:  -     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Acinetobacter lwoffii
76.92% ( 10 / 13 )

(2) Acinetobacter anitratum
61.54% ( 8 / 13 )

(3) Alcaligenes faecalis
60.00% ( 6 / 10 )

Organism: ian-wb.6

Surface:  mixed cream dull     arginine:  -     TSI GAS:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  +     catalase:  k     indole:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     oxidase:  +     tsi:  -     TSI BUTT:  -     TSI H2S:  -     TSI SLANT:  -     urease:  -     voges proskauer:  -     sellers:  -     nitrate:  -     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     gluOxa:  -     width:  0     length:  3.5     nitrite to N2:  -     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
30.00% ( 6 / 20 )

(2) Yersinia enterocolitica
25.00% ( 4 / 16 )

(3) Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 2
25.00% ( 4 / 16 )

Organism: ib wb 1

Surface:  spreading     stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     catalase:  k     MORPHOLOGY:  r     width:  0.75     length:  1.5     LUX:  2     biome:  1wb    

Closest match:

(1) Yersinia ruckeri
50.00% ( 3 / 6 )

(2) Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
50.00% ( 3 / 6 )

(3) Yersinia pestis
50.00% ( 3 / 6 )




Group Two is in a passage south of the entrance and beyond any daylight penetration; the passage here
is generally wet and in fact the floor had a small amount of running water, although none of the
formations have ever been observed dripping. There is extensive moist moonmilk in this area.
Formations in Group Two tend to be quite soft and moist in texture. Group Two formations seem to be
more obviously coated with a second (subsequent to sphere) moonmilk deposit.

Organism: group2 outer bag fungus

Surface:  fungus spores black     biome:  0    

Organism: group2 outer bag bacteria 1

Surface:  yellow     biome:  0    

Organism: group2 outer bag bacteria 2

Surface:  yellow lobes     biome:  0    


4 came from Formation Four,
at the middle of the side.
Formation Four is 7cm
x 6cm and 7cm high.

Organism: ib 4 mixed organisms

Surface:  fungi and bacteria     LUX:  0     biome:  24    

Organism: ib 4

Surface:  nocardia     catalase:  k     microscopic appearance:  filaments branching     LUX:  0     biome:  24    

Closest match:

(1) Pseudomonas mallei
50.00% ( 1 / 2 )




5 came from Formation Five
Formation Five is 9cm x 9cm and 13cm high including a moonmilk 'beard'.
from the bottom.

Organism: ib 5

Surface:  contaminant     LUX:  0     biome:  25    


6 came from Formation Six
Formation Six is irregular in shape and attached to the ceiling with a maximum dimension (length) of
19cm
similar in shape to formation X in Group One.

Organism: ib 6

Surface:  no growth pdy     LUX:  0     biome:  26    

Organism: ian-6a

stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  r     width:  1.0     length:  5.0     LUX:  0     biome:  26    

Closest match:

(1) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 3
75.00% ( 3 / 4 )

(2) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 2
75.00% ( 3 / 4 )

(3) Agrobacterium tumefaciens Biovar 1
75.00% ( 3 / 4 )

Organism: ian-6b

stain gram positive at least in young cultures:  -     MORPHOLOGY:  c     LUX:  0     biome:  26    

Closest match:

(1) Veillonella arvula
100.00% ( 2 / 2 )

(2) Veillonella alcalescens
100.00% ( 2 / 2 )

(3) Staphylocuccus hyicus subsp. hyicus
100.00% ( 2 / 2 )

Organism: ian-6c

width:  3.0     length:  10.0     microscopic appearance:  arthrospores long chains rectangular      LUX:  0     biome:  26    

Closest match:

(1) Thiocystis gelatinosa
50.00% ( 1 / 2 )




W2 came from the right hand
wall in the photo, where there
is extensive moonmilk.

Organism: ib w2

Surface:  Geotrichum     catalase:  +     microscopic appearance:  filaments     LUX:  0     biome:  w2    

Closest match:

(1) Bacillus
33.33% ( 1 / 3 )

Organism: ian-w2.1

Surface:  tiny cream     arginine:  -     TSI GAS:  -     pH in V-P broth<6:  -     utilization of citrate:  -     tsi:  -     TSI BUTT:  -     TSI H2S:  -     TSI SLANT:  -     urease:  -     sellers:  -     nitrate:  -     sellers slant:  -     sellers butt:  -     sellers band:  -     pyorubrin:  -     sellers nitrogen gas:  -     gluOxa:  -     nitrite to N2:  -     LUX:  0     biome:  w2    

Closest match:

(1) Acinetobacter lwoffii
72.73% ( 8 / 11 )

(2) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
23.53% ( 4 / 17 )

(3) Arizona
16.67% ( 1 / 6 )