Buellia frigida is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Caliciaceae. It was first described from samples collected from the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1901–1904. It is endemic to maritime and continental Antarctica, where it is common and widespread, at altitudes up to about 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The characteristic appearance of this lichen features shades of grey and black divided into small polygonal patterns. The crusts can generally grow up to 7 cm (2+3⁄4 in) in diameter (smaller sizes are more common), although neighbouring individuals may coalesce to form larger crusts. One of the defining characteristics of the lichen is a textured surface with deep cracks, creating the appearance of radiating lobes. These lobes, bordered by shallower fissures, give the lichen a distinctive appearance and textured surface.
In addition to its striking appearance, Buellia frigida shows adaptability to the harsh Antarctic climate conditions. The lichen has an extremely slow growth rate, estimated to be less than 1 mm (1⁄16 in) per century. Because of its ability to not only endure but to thrive in one of the Earth's coldest, harshest environments, Buellia frigida has been used as a model organism in astrobiology research. This lichen has been exposed to conditions simulating those encountered in space and on celestial bodies like Mars, including vacuum, ultraviolet radiation, and extreme dryness. B. frigida has demonstrated resilience to these space-related stressors, making it a candidate for studying how life can adapt to and potentially survive in the extreme environments found beyond Earth.
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Buelliafrigida is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Caliciaceae. It was first described from samples collected from...
UV radiation. An Antarctic endemic species, the crust-like lichen Buelliafrigida, has been used as a model organism in astrobiology research. The same...
Rabbow, E.; de Vera, J.-P.P (August 2015). "Resistance of the Lichen Buelliafrigida to Simulated Space Conditions during the Preflight Tests for BIOMEX—Viability...
found in the company of several other species, including the lichens Buelliafrigida, Lecanora mons-nivis, Lecanora physciella, Lecidea cancriformis, Pleopsidium...
features four different kinds of Lichen endemic to the AAT. They are: Buelliafrigida Xanthoria mawsonii Umbilicaria decussata Xanthoria elegans Used stamps...
following species have been sighted within 1.0 degrees of Rippon Glacier: Buelliafrigida Caloplaca athallina Caloplaca citrina Candelariella flava Japewia tornoensis...
pollution-resistant properties are P. hispidula and P. subcinerea. Buelliafrigida, a crustose species that grows on rocks in the harsh Antarctic climate...
snails, but they frequently consume lichens like Diploicia canescens and Buellia subalbula (both in family Caliciaceae), which lack parietin. In their large-scale...
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