Biology
Hypersaline pond on McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica © Anne D Jungblut
Little is known about Phormidium pseudpriestleyi, but Antarctic cyanobacteria are generally characterised by their ability to cope with the harsh conditions of Antarctica, which include:
- low temperatures
- ice formation
- high salt concentrations
- several months of darkness during the Antarctic winter
- high ultraviolet radiation during the summer
- large variations in nutrient supply
Many Antarctic cyanobacteria produce antifreeze compounds and UV screens and are able to grow with very limited nutrients.
