Species diversity and extreme environments adaptation of Antarctic fungi

Abstract

Antarctica is one of the harshest environments in the world. Despite this environment, more than 1,000 species of fungi have been reported from Antarctica. However, there have been few fungal surveys around Syowa Station, the base of Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE), since the 1960s. The most recent survey of the area around Syowa Station have been reported a significant increase in the number of fungal species identified over the past decade, from 16 to 83. Antarctic fungi have developed unique adaptations to survive and remain active at sub-zero temperatures. They possess enzymes that function at −3℃ and maintain cellular membrane fluidity through high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, which do not solidify easily in cold conditions. Additionally, some species adjust their metabolic pathways to enhance survival, indicating a complex interplay of physiological and biochemical strategies for cold adaptation. These findings highlight the critical role of Antarctic fungi in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Metabolic pathways such as polyamines, aromatic amino acids, and methionine may be involved in the cold stress responses of Antarctic fungi.