title: Xerotolerant mycobiota from high altitude Anapurna soil, Nepal.
abstract: Xerophilic and xerotolerant microfungi were isolated from soil samples collected in Anapurna Mountains, Nepal, at altitudes from 3000 to 5400 m. The total numbers and proportions of xerotolerant and psychrophilic strains in comparison with mesophilic mycobiota were determined by using different enumeration, selective media and four isolation methods. The most extreme xerophilic fungi were taxonomically identified as belonging to the genera Eurotium and Aspergillus. The low water activity of the soil due to dry climate and frequent binding of water in ice crystals favors a high proportion of xerotolerant fungal species. The correlation between xerotolerant and psychrophilic fungi was observed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. upetrovic@mf.uni-lj.si
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Petrovic
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gunde-Cimerman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zalar
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000145:classification; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media; D017753:Ecosystem; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009390:Nepal; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D014867:Water