Cold-tolerant yeast diversity in subglacial environments of Northern (Svalbard, Norway) and Southern Hemisphere (Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina) glaciers

DE GARCÍA VIRGINIA; ZALAR POLONA; BUTINAR LORENA; BRIZZIO SILVIA; SONJAK SILVA; GUNDE-CIMERMAN NINA; VAN BROOCK MARÍA

Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal

Congreso; Extremophiles; 2010

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS Mincho"; panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4; mso-font-alt:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:"@MS Mincho"; panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:JA;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";} @page WordSection1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 3.0cm 70.85pt 3.0cm; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:ES; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page WordSection1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 3.0cm 70.85pt 3.0cm; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> In polythermal glaciers, subglacial liquid water generated by increased pressure at the basis of the glaciers, can refreeze and was until recently considered abiotic. However, latest investigations have shown that populations of bacteria inhabit this particular environment. Studies on yeast diversity performed in glaciers of Patagonia, Argentina and ice in Arctic Svalbard have shown the presence of eucaryotic microorganisms. This work represents the first comparison of fungal biodiversity in subglacial environments in Northern and Southern hemispheres. The aquired knowledge will contribute to our understanding of the consequences of global warming. Microorganisms potentially endemic to subglacial environments may be released and potentially seed soil, rivers and oceans. Isolated yeasts were described in de Garcia et al. [1] and Gunde-Cimerman et al. [2]. A total of 225 and 137 yeasts strains were isolated respectively. 90% of isolates in both glacial environments were related to basidiomycetous yeasts, the remaining ones were ascomycetous, which is in agreement with other reports on yeast diversity from different cold environments. Ten species were found in both glacial environments: Cryptococcus victoriae, C. aff laurentti, Leucosporidium scotti, Leucosporidiella muscorum, Rhodotorula glacialis, R. laryngis, R. mucilaginosa, Dioszegia fristingensis, Sporobolomyces ruberrimus. Some of these species have been reported as ubiquitous, and as possible human pathogens. C. victoriae and C. aff laurentti were common in both hemispheres and they showed a great variability (morphologically and genetically), indicating high plasticity and capability to adapt to extremely cold environments. The aim of the study was to compare Cryptococcus related strains and to describe new species obtained from these geographically distant regions. This work was supported by International Bilateral Cooperation MINCYT-MHEST SLO08/11 [1] de García V., Brizzio S., Libkind D., Buzzini P. & van Broock M. 2007. Biodiversity of cold-adapted yeasts from glacial meltwater rivers in Patagonia, Argentina. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 59:331-341. [2] Gunde-Cimerman N., Sonjak S., Zalar P., Frisvad J.C., Diderichsen B. & Plemenitas A. 2003. Extremophilic fungi in arctic ice: a relationship between adaptation to low temperature and water activity. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 28:1273-1278.