STUDIES IN MYCOLOGY 51: 1–32. 2005. Fungi at the edge of life: cryptoendolithic black fungi from Antarctic desert L. Selbmann1, G.S. de Hoog2,3, A. Mazzaglia4, E.I. Friedmann5 and S. Onofri1* 1Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Largo dell’Università, Viterbo, Italy 2Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, P.O. Box 85167, NL-3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands 3Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 315, NL-1098 SM Amsterdam, The Netherlands 4Dipartimento di Difesa delle Piante, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo, Italy 5NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000, U.S.A. *Correspondence: S. Onofri,
[email protected] Abstract: Twenty-six strains of black, mostly meristematic fungi isolated from cryptoendolithic lichen dominated communi- ties in the Antarctic were described by light and Scanning Electron Microscopy and sequencing of the ITS rDNA region. In addition, cultural and temperature preferences were investigated. The phylogenetic positions of species recognised were determined by SSU rDNA sequencing. Most species showed affinity to the Dothideomycetidae and constitute two main groups referred to under the generic names Friedmanniomyces and Cryomyces (gen. nov.), each characterised by a clearly distinct morphology. Two species could be distinguished in each of these genera. Six strains could not be assigned to any taxonomic group; among them strain CCFEE 457 belongs to the Hysteriales, clustering together with Mediterranean marble- inhabiting Coniosporium species in an approximate group with low bootstrap support. All strains proved to be psychrophiles with the only exception for the strain CCFEE 507 that seems to be mesophilic- psychrotolerant.