Fungi in Antarctica: Diversity, Ecology, Effects of Climate Change, and Bioprospection for Bioactive Compounds

Abstract

Fungi occur in virtually all types of living and non-living substrates of Antarctica in different environments. However, knowledge of the diversity, ecological roles, and biotechnological applications of Antarctic fungi remain limited. The major resident Antarctic fungal phylum is Ascomycota and its anamorphs, followed by Basidiomycota and a few traditional Zygomycota. Other known and unknown fungal taxa may be present in not yet studied habitats, and the fungal diversity of many Antarctic environments remains unexplored. As eukaryotic organisms, Antarctic fungi appear to be highly adapted to survive and colonise the extreme environments of Peninsula and continental Antarctica. Accordingly, they represent promising and important models to study the environmental limits and survival mechanisms of extremophiles. Additionally, as some fungi living in Antarctica are both adapted to these extreme conditions and geographically isolated, they may possess novel or unusual metabolic pathways for the production of compounds with potential biotechnological applications in medicine, industry, and agriculture. Finally, global climate change and the potential contamination of Antarctic ecosystems with non-native species represent two of the greatest dangers for the conservation and future of this region. Studies of Antarctic fungi adaptations to climate change and assessments of fungal diversity and distribution across Antarctica represent an important model system for monitoring the effects of global climate changes on other life forms. However, Antarctic microorganisms, including fungi, remain largely uncharacterised, including their physiological and biochemical behaviours when in contact with other life forms. Potential pathogenic effects on plants and animals, including mammals, are unknown for most Antarctic fungi, although a few studies have suggested that some of these species could have such effects.