Cryptic associated fungi and algae isolated from Antarctic epilithic lichens of the Victoria Land and the description of five new fungal species.

ABSTRACT: Lichen thalli are niches for microorganisms, including microfungi, microalgae and non-photosynthetic bacteria, which form communities of variable composition, often shaped by the environmental conditions under which the lichen thalli develop. In Antarctica lichens represent an important group of organisms characterized by a high percentage of endemism, which have specialized to grow on rocks, as the predominant substrate for colonization. Here, Antarctic epilithic thalli of five endemic and three cosmopolitan lichen species have been investigated for their potential role as fungal species hotspots. The culturable fraction of the Antarctic lichen-associated fungi and algae was uncovered with the aim to isolate as many species as possible and find whether taxa are strictly connected to the A

SUBMITTER: de Carolis R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12798318 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature