Lipid Biomarkers From Microbial Mats on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica: Signatures for Life in the Cryosphere

• Published in: Frontiers in Microbiology
• Main Authors: Thomas W. Evans, Maria J. Kalambokidis, Anne D. Jungblut, Jasmin L. Millar, Thorsten Bauersachs, Hendrik Grotheer, Tyler J. Mackey, Ian Hawes, Roger E. Summons
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022
• Subjects: cyanobacteria; Antarctica; intact polar lipid; heterocyte glycolipids; bacteriohopanepolyol; microbial mats; Microbiology; QR1-502; Antarctic; The Antarctic; McMurdo Dry Valleys; Vanda; McMurdo Ice Shelf; Lake Vanda; Antarc*; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.903621; https://doaj.org/article/7b32342c24a24c10bb199c81ca566837

Persistent cold temperatures, a paucity of nutrients, freeze-thaw cycles, and the strongly seasonal light regime make Antarctica one of Earth’s least hospitable surface environments for complex life. Cyanobacteria, however, are well-adapted to such conditions and are often the dominant primary produ...