ARS | Publication request: CONIDIOBOLUS ANTARCTICUS, A NEW SPECIES FROM CONTINENTAL ANTARCTICA

Submitted to: Mycotaxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 6, 2004
Publication Date: December 27, 2004
Citation: Tosi, S., Caretta, G., Humber, R.A. 2004. Conidiobolus antarcticus, a new species from continental antarctica. Mycotaxon. 90:343-347.

Interpretive Summary: This paper describes a new fungal species, CONIDIOBOLUS ANTARCTICUS, recovered from two different species of moss collected on the Antarctic mainland. This is the first fungus from the order Entomophthorales to be found on the mainland of Antarctica; a couple of other examples are known from islands near Antarctica. Conidiobolus species are generally found in decomposing matter, whereas species in almost all other genera in this group are pathogenic for arthropods. This species is also notable because it is able to grow at temperatures as low as -1 deg C, a minimal temperature that is previously unknown for such fungi. This species will gain importance when a much needed taxonomic revision of the genus CONIDIOBOLUS is undertaken because its biology and geographical range represent previously unknown extremes among its related species.

Technical Abstract: CONIDIOBOLUS ANTARCTICUS sp. nov. (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae), was isolated from the antarctic mosses SCISTIDIUM ANTARCTICI and HENNEDIELLA HEIMII. It is the first record of an Entomophthorales species in continental Antarctica. This new fungus is distinguished from other species of the same genus in the size and shape of the primary conidia and zygospores, and in the disjunctive mycelial hyphae.