This Lichen Species Might Survive on Mars, Study Suggests

Most planetary scientists agree that Mars’ extreme conditions would be uninhabitable to life as we know it. New research, however, suggests that we might be underestimating the hardiness of lichens. Researchers in Poland have revealed that some lichen species can endure a Mars-like environment while remaining biologically active. As detailed in a study published Monday in the journal IMA Fungus, their work challenges the widely held notion that Mars’ surface is, in its current state, completely incapable of hosting any sort of life. The researchers tested two lichen species: Diploschistes muscorum and Cetraria aculeata. Lichens are bizarre, alien-looking life forms made up of different organisms: fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria (a type of photosynthetic bacteria) in a tight biological partnership. They are surprisingly resistant to harsh environments—in fact, lichens thrive in many different kinds of habitats, including freezing tundras and deserts. The researchers exposed D. m ... Read full article.