Mycobiota associated to Casa Moneta Museum wood, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica

Abstract

Antarctica is a continent that presents extreme conditions for life. Numerous buildings that served as housing for expeditioners and scientists are considered historical heritage, including Casa Moneta Museum, located at the Orcadas Base on Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands (Antarctic Peninsula). It is built entirely of wood, and currently shows visible signs of deterioration. In this work, we studied the mycobiota present in the deteriorated wood of the museum to characterize the fungal diversity present. Macro-, micro-morphological and phylogenetic studies were carried out to identify the fungi isolated. Temperature tests were also performed to study the growth of different strains. Almost 20% of the fungi isolated belonged to Cadophora. Other frequently obtained genera were Tulasnella (16%), Cerinosterus (12%), Coniochaeta (7%), Geomyces (7%), Acremonium (7%) and Penicillium (7%). Temperature tests indicated all strains isolated are psychrotolerant. Five species have been reported for the first time for Antarctica. Deterioration of historic wooden structures and artifacts in extreme environments is currently causing great concern, and in this study the identification of the fungi present in Casa Moneta’s wood and the characterization of their metabolism could be a guide to the development of preservation strategies for this historical building.