Antarctolichenia

Antarctolichenia is a monospecific fungal genus in the family Phaeococcomycetaceae, containing the single species Antarctolichenia onofrii. Described in 2023 by Laura Selbmann and Lucia Muggia, this endolithic fungus is found exclusively in rock-inhabiting communities in continental Antarctica, particularly in Victoria Land. Antarctolichenia onofrii is notable for its dimorphic growth, exhibiting both yeast-like and filamentous forms, and for its evolutionary position between non-lichenised and lichen-forming fungi. While capable of independent growth, it occasionally associates with Stichococcus-like algae without forming true lichen structures. The species is adapted to extreme Antarctic conditions, growing slowly in sandstone pores within lichen-dominated microbial communities.