| Antarctolichenia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Arthoniomycetes |
| Order: | Lichenostigmatales |
| Family: | Phaeococcomycetaceae |
| Genus: | Antarctolichenia Selbmann, Muggia & Coleine (2021) |
| Species: | A. onofrii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Antarctolichenia onofrii Selbmann & Muggia (2021)
| |
Antarctolichenia is a monospecific fungal genus in the family Phaeococcomycetaceae, containing the single species Antarctolichenia onofrii.[1] 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.