[Fungal diversity in the Antarctic active layer].

Taxonomic diversity of fungi in the samples of the active layer of Antarctica was investigated using conventional microbiological techniques and metagenomic analysis of total DNA extracted from environmental samples. The list of Antarctic microscopic fungi was expanded, including detection of the species representing a portion of the fungal complex, which is nonculturable or sterile on conventional nutrient media.

Ancient fungi in Antarctic permafrost environments.

Filamentous fungi in 36 samples of Antarctic permafrost sediments were studied. The samples collected during the Russian Antarctic expedition of 2007-2009 within the framework of the Antarctic Permafrost Age Project (ANTPAGE) were recovered from different depths in ice-free oases located along the perimeter of the continent. Fungal diversity was determined by conventional microbiological techniques combined with a culture-independent method based on the analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequences in total DNA of the samples.