A group of Brazilian scientists has identified four new species of mushrooms growing in Antarctica, one of the most inhospitable environments to the life of our planet.
The fungi, all belonging to the genre Omphalina, They were found on Livingston Island, amid the Antarctic Ocean. The discovery was published in an article signed by seven Brazilians.
“The emergence of these species in such an inhospitable environment demonstrates how life can adapt and survive even in the worst conditions of planet Earth,” said Fernando Bertazzo-Silva, PhD in Biological Sciences, researcher at Unipampa (Federal University of Pampa) and one of the authors of the study.
Known to be an extreme environment – with high UV radiation, high salinity, limited water and nutrient availability and very low temperatures – only 1% of Antarctic soil is not covered in ice. It was in these places, where moss fields grow, that the researchers found the mushrooms, called Omphalina deschampsiana, Ophalina Icheii, Omphalina cold e Omphalina Schaeferi.
The threat of climate change
Fernando explained that the purpose of the project was not, initially, to discover new species, but catalog and study the biodiversity of plants and fungi in Antarctica – “but when you work with fungi, which is a group that few people work, you already know that you will possibly find new species,” he added.
This diversity and abundance of mushrooms on the cold continent is recent, according to the scientist.
“It’s quite uncommon for the area. We believe it can be the influence of climate change, because in addition to warming Antarctica, this warming ends up melting the ice. If the ice melts, it ends up making the soil moist and conducive to fungi,” said Fernando.
For him, this factor only emphasizes the importance of mapping and identifying the biodiversity of the site as soon as possible, so that it is possible to monitor changes in the environment and living beings of Antarctic caused by global warming over the coming years.
The importance of scientific work
According to Fernando, many people often wonder how important this type is, or promoting the work of Brazilian scientists in a place as far away as the South Pole. But the advances always begin with scientific work.
“Antarctic considerably influences the climate, sea currents and all the biology of the southern hemisphere,” he said. “In addition to knowing the ecosystem and diversity of Antarctica, describing these species makes us be able to analyze how it can influence the rest of the world in the coming years.”
The discovery of new species is also the first step in discovering compounds that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of practical application. “All research involving biotechnological application and bioprospecting begins with the description of species,” said Fernando.