Fungi in Antarctica

Ruisi, Serena; Barreca, D.; Selbmann, Laura; Zucconi, Laura; Onofri, Silvano

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6285-8_10

Cited by 44 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…Endemic species are characterised as true psychrophilic fungi that are able to actively grow and reproduce only in Antarctica (Ruisi et al, 2007). According to Onofri et al (2007), indigenicity is indicated by the observation of a large number of isolates over time as well as being commonly recorded in Antarctica from different sites and substrata.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diversity and bioprospecting of fungal communities associated with endemic and cold-adapted macroalgae in Antarctica

et al. 2013

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We surveyed the distribution and diversity of fungi associated with eight macroalgae from Antarctica and their capability to produce bioactive compounds. The collections yielded 148 fungal isolates, which were identified using molecular methods as belonging to 21 genera and 50 taxa. The most frequent taxa were Geomyces species (sp.), Penicillium sp. and Metschnikowia australis. Seven fungal isolates associated with the endemic Antarctic macroalgae Monostroma hariotii (Chlorophyte) displayed high internal transcribed spacer sequences similarities with the psychrophilic pathogenic fungus Geomyces destructans. Thirty-three fungal singletons (66%) were identified, representing rare components of the fungal communities. The fungal communities displayed high diversity, richness and dominance indices; however, rarefaction curves indicated that not all of the fungal diversity present was recovered. Penicillium sp. UFMGCB 6034 and Penicillium sp. UFMGCB 6120, recovered from the endemic species Palmaria decipiens (Rhodophyte) and M. hariotii, respectively, yielded extracts with high and selective antifungal and/or trypanocidal activities, in which a preliminary spectral analysis using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated the presence of highly functionalised aromatic compounds. These results suggest that the endemic and cold-adapted macroalgae of Antarctica shelter a rich, diversity and complex fungal communities consisting of a few dominant indigenous or mesophilic cold-adapted species, and a large number of rare and/or endemic taxa, which may provide an interesting model of algal-fungal interactions under extreme conditions as well as a potential source of bioactive compounds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Ruisi et al (2007), the distribution of fungi in Antarctica is related to the distribution of their hosts or substrates, such as bird feathers and dung, invertebrates, vegetation, soils, rocks and lichens. However, marine fungal dispersal remains unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and bioprospecting of fungal communities associated with endemic and cold-adapted macroalgae in Antarctica

et al. 2013

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“…The low temperature, low water availability, low annual precipitation, frequent freeze-thaw cycles, strong winds, high sublimation and evaporation, and the high incidence of solar and especially ultraviolet radiation are significant limiting factors for plant and animal life in Antarctica (8). In addition, the geographic isolation and environmental stress make interesting the study of its endemic organisms (34). Recently, the occurrence and diversity of fungal species in this region has been investigated (2,13,32,33,34).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, the occurrence and diversity of fungal species in this region has been investigated (2,13,32,33,34). According to Ruisi et al (34), most of the fungi recorded in this area are anamorphic, have short life cycles, and limit metabolic costs associated with sexual reproduction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The diversity, extracellular enzymatic activities and photoprotective compounds of yeasts isolated in Antarctica

Vaz¹,

Rosa²,

Vieira³

et al. 2011

Braz. J. Microbiol.

150

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“…These fungi have several ways to protect themselves against extreme conditions, viz., the synthesis of melanin to protect the thallus and spores, and the production of mycosporine, antifreeze proteins, antioxidants, glycogens, exopolysaccharides, trehalose, sterols and fatty acids (Ruisi et al 2007). Psychrophilic fungi are known to be important for their biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A psychrophilic and halotolerant strain of Thelebolus microsporus from Pangong Lake, Himalaya

Anupama¹

2011

Mycosphere

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Over recent decades, the Ladhak regions of the Himalaya have been investigated mainly for the presence and exploitation of psychrophilic bacteria and Archaea, but mycological studies in the region have been infrequent. Here we report the occurrence of Thelebolus microsporus for the first time from the Himalayan region. The strain, which was isolated from Pangong Lake, is a psychrophile, with an optimum growth temperature of 4°C and halotolerance of up to 6% NaCl. Microscopic studies found that the strain does not produce conidia, and that asci are produced in cleistohymenial ascomata, with each ascus containing eight ascospores. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal RNA gene of the strain showed 97-98% similarity with strains of Thelebolus microsporus from Antarctica.

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Fungi in Antarctica

Cited by 44 publications

References 89 publications

Diversity and bioprospecting of fungal communities associated with endemic and cold-adapted macroalgae in Antarctica

Diversity and bioprospecting of fungal communities associated with endemic and cold-adapted macroalgae in Antarctica

The diversity, extracellular enzymatic activities and photoprotective compounds of yeasts isolated in Antarctica

A psychrophilic and halotolerant strain of Thelebolus microsporus from Pangong Lake, Himalaya

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