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A New Database on Phenotypic Data on Halophilic Archaea and Insights into their Application in Astrobiology
  • André Antunes,
  • Jiahui Wu
André Antunes
Macau University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:aglantunes@must.edu.mo

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Jiahui Wu
Macau University of Science and Technology
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Abstract

Extremely halophilic archaea are microbes that thrive under very high salinities (>20% NaCl) and are almost exclusively placed in the class Halobacteria. In addition to their characteristic preference for high salinity and moderately high temperatures, many species of this class are resistant to desiccation, vacuum, and radiation, making them interesting targets for Astrobiological studies as model organisms and particularly relevant for the study of Mars, as highlighted by several authors. This class has a wide environmental range and includes species that live in salty biotopes such as salterns, salted foods, subterranean halite, lakes, or even in deep-sea brines in a list that includes several analogue sites. One current bottleneck of research with this group is the dispersed nature of data associated with its species. Our study partly addresses this by compiling phenotypic information and records of astrobiological experiments for all Halobacteria. We have established a database (HAPIE- Halophilic Archaea Phenotypic Information Explorer) that allows us to quickly compare different species as well as analyse trends and identify knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Our study identified gaps in coverage and knowledge (both at the level of taxonomy and range of tested parameters) and assisted us in defining new testing priorities.