User:Kurtwurt/sandbox

History and taxonomy

 * discovered in Antarctica 1980, but not properly identified until 1999
 * the most phyllogenetically distinct of a number similar looking endolithic black fungi from Antarctica
 * finally molecularly confirmed as a distinct genus in 2002

Growth and morphology

 * grows slowly, black irregular lobe shaped colonies
 * Thick black cell walls that keep them from drying out and protect them from uv irradiation
 * grows well on MEA, PDA, OA, not CZA
 * data on exact size of cells and hyphae from source

Physiology

 * exopolysaccharide secretions protect against drying out and freezing, essentially creating a micro-climate around the colony
 * Extremotolerant, can adaptively produce proteins to survive different climates, most effectively between 1 and 28 Celsius will not grow unless the temperature is under 15c and grows best between 10-15c

Habitat and ecology

 * Extremely robust, selected as candidates for growth in outer space
 * outstandingly resistant to gamma radiation, well beyond what any earthen habitat could ever require adapting too, massively more resistant then human cells.
 * more about astrological relevance as a model organism
 * causes deterioration of statue epoxy
 * often grow with symbiotic aid from lichen