Conclusions: A high diversity of yeasts was isolated in this work including undescribed species and species not
previously isolated from the Antarctic region, including Wickerhamomyces anomalus, which has not been isolated
from cold regions in general. The diversity of extracellular enzyme activities, and hence the variety of compounds
that the yeasts may degrade or transform, suggests an important nutrient recycling role of microorganisms in this
region. These yeasts are of potential use in industrial applications requiring high enzyme activities at low
temperatures.