Work

Microbial diversity and adaptation Strategies in the nunataks of Western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Antarctic soil ecosystems harbor unique microbial communities that survive under prolonged low temperatures, high UV radiation, desiccation, oligotrophic conditions and other environmental stresses. This study aimed to characterize the culturable microbial communities and explore potential adaptation strategies of microorganisms inhabiting the unique inland nunataks of the Jutulsessen and Ahlmannryggen ranges in Western Dronning Maud Land (WDML), Antarctica. Bacterial and fungal isolates representing colony morphotypes were isolated from soil samples using different growth media. Bacterial isolates were identified and characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with the MALDI BioTyper, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. Of the 96 bacterial isolates analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, 75 produced good-quality spectral profiles, including 13 of isolates identified down to the species level, while the remaining 62 high-quality spectral profiles, represent an important contribution to the currently limited MALDI-TOF MS reference database of Antarctic bacteria. 16S rRNA sequencing identified 37 species of bacteria belonging to several ecologically diverse genera, namely Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Brevundimonas, Brachybacterium, Curtobacterium, Dermacoccus, Dietzia, Janibacter, Knoellia, Kocuria, Kytococcus, Lysinibacillus, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Methylobacterium, Moraxella, Paracoccus, Pontibacter, Pseudomonas, Pseudarthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Rothia , Sphingomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Staphylococcus . This bacterial assemblage is not only taxonomically diverse but also contains taxa with established ecological links to cold and extreme environments. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) domain sequencing indicates the presence of four fungal genera, namely Gelatinofungus, Leuconeurospora, Pseudogymnoascus, and Tolypocladium, with ecological affinity for polar environments. FAME analysis revealed a predominance of branched-chain and unsaturated fatty acids, which help maintain cellular membrane fluidity as an adaptation strategy for the harsh Antarctic environment. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that the nunatak soils of Western Dronning Maud Land harbor a diverse culturable microbial assemblage closely related to cold and extreme environments, together with fatty-acid characteristics consistent with physiological adaptation to Antarctic conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first comprehensive account of the culturable microbial communities inhabiting the nunataks of the Jutulsessen and Ahlmannryggen ranges in Western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica.

Source: Frontiers in Microbiology

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1921961

Authors: Purnima Singh, Shiv Mohan Singh

Institutions: Indian Institute of Technology BHU, Banaras Hindu University

Language: English

Topic: Polar Research and Ecology

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801

Funders: National Research Foundation, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, Ministry of Earth Sciences, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences