Analysis reveals the new species of green alga associated with Antarctic lichen, highlighting its unique morphology and phylogenetic position.
Lichens are the most dominant components in flora of Antarctica. A lichen epiphyte green alga FACHB-2327, isolated from Antarctic lichen Stereocaulon alpinum, was identified as a new species belonging to the genus Deuterostichococcus. The specimen of lichen Stereocaulon alpinum was collected from King George Island, Antarctica. A comprehensive analysis, including morphology, ultrastructure, habitat, phylogeny and secondary structure of SSU rDNA V9 region, was carried out. The green alga FACHB-2327 was described and named as Deuterostichococcus alpinus sp. nov. to recall the continent where it was discovered. The alga FACHB-2327 forms single celled thalli or pseudofilaments up to three cells; cells are cylindrical with mean size 7-18 (20) × 3-5 µm and rounded ends. It can be distinguished from the other species in genus Deuterostichococcus by morphological characters, including cell size, length/width ratio and phylogenetic position using SSU rDNA and ITS rDNA sequences.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Cao et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: