Diversity of Polar Marine Bacteria and Terrestrial Lichens

Abstract

We have collected marine biofilms around the Dasan, Korean Arctic Station located at Ny-Alsund, Svalbard, Norway (79°N, 12°E). We analyzed bacterial diversity of the biofilms using culture technique, phylogenetic analysis, and DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) method. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences indicated that the marine biofilm-forming bacteria belong to alpha-, beta-, and gamma-Proteobacteria, the CFB group, and High GC Gram-positive bacteria. Lichens are predominant and important flora in the terrestrial ecosystem of Antarctica. Therefore, we collected 225 lichens from the King Sejong, Korean Antarctic Station on King George Island, Antarctica (62°13′ S, 58°47′ W), and identified them according to nuclear large subunit rRNA genes as well as morphological characteristics. During the IPY 2007~2008, we are going to analyze the diversity of Antarctic bacteria from marine biofilms and compare to that of Arctic bacteria. We are going to analyze the diversity of Arctic lichens and compare to that of Antarctic lichens. This project will contribute to identify polar organisms in marine and terrestrial ecosystems.