Unexpected Biodiversity Found in Antarctic Soils Due to Microbial Cooperation

Researchers have discovered an unexpectedly rich diversity of microbial life in Antarctic soils, revealing more than 2,800 species. The study, conducted near the retreating Prydz Bay glacier, highlights how microorganisms collaborate to survive extreme conditions.

By analyzing DNA from soil samples, scientists identified both living and extinct species, with bacteria showing ten times greater diversity than eukaryotes. The findings suggest microbial cooperation, such as nutrient exchange between algae and bacteria, plays a key role in survival.