GROWTH AND STRESS PHYSIOLOGY OF TWO NOVEL ANTARCTIC ALGAL ISOLATES FROM THE MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS (ANTARCTICA)

The permanently ice-covered lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) in Antarctica have been the subject of three decades of ecological research (mcmlter.org). These lakes harbor diverse and unique microbial communities which are exposed to permanent extreme conditions including cold, high salinity, and variable light levels. This ecosystem is largely supported by cold-adapted (psychrophilic) phytoplankton, many of which have yet to be isolated. Despite the remote location of the MDV, it still experiences the effects of climate change; however, it is not well understood how microbial communities will respond. To contribute to the preservation and characterization of novel microorganisms, this research focuses on two novel algae isolates that were recently collected from Lake Fryxell. Sequencing of 18S rRNA identified the strains as Ulothrix and Chlorella. Both strains are novel in this lake, moreover, the Ulothrix isolate is the first filamentous algae to be isolated from Lake Fryxell. The algal isolates both show exponential growth in defined medium under batch culture conditions. Preliminary growth physiology indicates that both strains are psychrophilic. Growth stress physiology under environmentally relevant conditions will be discussed to better understand these novel isolates and their response to a variety of abiotic environmental stressors.

Primary Presenter: Benjamin Nagle, Miami University (naglebf@miamioh.edu)

Authors:

Benjamin Nagle, Miami University  (naglebf@miamioh.edu)

Rochelle Pereira, Miami University  (pereirrp@miamioh.edu)

Drew Wolf, Miami University  (wolfaj3@miamioh.edu)

Rachael Morgan-Kiss, Miami University  (morganr2@miamioh.edu)