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Microbial life on an antarctic volcano: prokaryotic diversity and adaptation in Deception Island.

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Author(s):
Amanda Gonçalves Bendia
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Vivian Helena Pellizari; Welington Luiz de Araujo; Andrea Balan Fernandes; Douglas Galante; Itamar Soares de Melo
Advisor: Vivian Helena Pellizari
Abstract

Active volcanoes in Antarctica contrast with the predominately icy landscape. They harbor unique conditions capable to select an extreme range of microbial adaptations. Deception Island is located in the Antarctic Peninsula region and differs from other Antarctic volcanoes specially by its higher temperatures and marine influence. We collected sediment samples associated to active fumaroles and glaciers on two geothermal sites of Deception Island, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 98°C. Different cultivation-indepedent techniques were used to understand how microbial communities respond to extreme environmental variations produced by volcanic activity. The results indicate that co-occurrence of hyperthermophiles and their specific adaptations with metabolically diverse cold-adapted micro-organisms represents a unique community structure for antarctic ecosystems. This study provided primordial data on central questions about microbial diversity and adaptation to polar geothermal environments. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/23241-0 - Metagenomic of microbial communities from environments with geothermal activity at Deception Island Volcano, Antarctica
Grantee:Amanda Gonçalves Bendia
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate