Marine caves have particular ecological conditions with reduced organic matter for resident organisms. The fish Apogon imberbis may have a crucial trophic role in connecting caves with external habitats as it moves outside caves at night to feed and come back to caves during the day.

The CAVOBIOME project aims at explaining the functional role of A. imberbis in Mediterranean marine caves, by characterizing i) the diversity of microbial communities associated with A. imberbis (metataxonomy), ii) the nature and origin of organic matter in faecal pellets and cave sediment (ecological tracers), iii) the chemical seascape of the cave and potential chemical cues (metabolomics), if possible in cultivated organisms, and iv) potential new antimicrobial agents.

This project will provide a better understanding of the trophic role of A. imberbis in marine caves and help to optimize management and conservation measures for these unique ecosystems.