Metagenomics untangles metabolic adaptations of Antarctic endolithic bacteria at the fringe of habitability

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundEndolithic niches offer an ultimate refuge, supplying buffered conditions for microorganisms that dwell inside rock airspaces. Yet, survival and growth strategies of Antarctic endolithic microbes residing in Earths’ driest and coldest desert remains virtually unknown.ResultsFrom 109 endolithic microbiomes, 4,539 metagenome-assembled genomes were generated, 49.3% of which were novel candidate bacterial species. We present evidence that trace gas oxidation and atmospheric chemosynthesis may be the prevalent strategies supporting metabolic activity and persistence of these ecosystems at the fringe of life and the limits of habitability.ConclusionsThese results represent the foundation to untangle adaptability at the edge of sustainability on Earth and on other dry Earth-like planetary bodies such as Mars.