Antarctica is considered the coldest and driest terrestrial
habitat on Earth. It is covered almost totally with
ice and snow, and receives high levels of solar radiation
[7]. The Sub-Antarctic region, including the Shetland
South Archipelago, has warmer temperatures, the soils
close to the sea are free of snow/ice and receive significant
quantities of organic material from marine animals;
however, they are subject to continuous and rapid freethaw
cycles, which are stressful and restrictive to life [8].
Although the first report of Antarctic yeasts was published
50 years ago [9] current reports have focused on
cold-tolerant Bacteria and Archaea, with yeasts receiving
less attention. Yeasts dwelling in Antarctic and Sub-
Antarctic maritime and terrestrial habitats belong mainly
to the Cryptococcus, Mrakia, Candida and Rhodotorula
genera [10-12]. In a recent work, 43 % of Antarctic yeast
isolates were assigned to undescribed species [13],
reflecting the lack of knowledge regarding cultivable
yeasts that colonize the Antarctic soils. Yet these organisms
constitute a valuable resource for ecological and
applied studies.