DNA barcoding of some lichenized fungi from Dismal Island

Lichenized fungi are the most dominant macro organisms in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems. Studies on lichens in Antarctica have a history of approximately two centuries. Especially with the recent use of DNA-based techniques in taxonomy studies, lichen biodiversity studies in Antarctica has accelerated. Dismal Island is the largest of the Faure Islands, 1.9 kilometers long and 60 meters high, mostly covered with ice in Marguerite Bay on the west coast of Graham Land. In the literature, there is no study directly addressing or examining lichen biodiversity on Dismal Island. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine anatomically-morphologically and to perform DNA barcoding of some lichenized fungi species from Dismal Island. Lichen samples collected from Dismal Island during the 6th Turkish National Antarctic Scientific Expedition by the second author. The collected samples were identified by anatomical and morphological examinations and DNA barcoding was performed with ITS gene region primers. As a result of the study, DNA barcoding of 11 species was performed. This species are Austroplaca hookerii (C.W. Dodge) Søchting, Frödén &Arup, Buellia russa (Hue) Darb., Candelariella flava (C.W. Dodge & Baker) Castello & Nimis, Mastodia tessellata (Hook & Harv.) Hook & Harv., Polycauliona candelaria (L.) Frödén, Arup & Søchting, Rhizoplaca aspidophora (Vain.) Follmann, Rhizocarpon geographicum (L.) DC., Tephromela atra (Huds.) Hafellner ex Kalb., Tetramelas anisomerus (Vain.) Elix., Umbilicaria antarctica Frey & I.M. Lamb., Usnea antarctica Du Rietz.