The flat high-altitude regions of the Bolivian Andes, particularly the Altiplano, known for its lakes with extreme salinity, and consequentially low water activity, low temperatures, aridity, and intense UV radiation, provide a unique environment for studying the biodiversity and adaptive mechanisms of microorganisms. In our research, we isolated halophilic fungi isolated from different Altiplano saline lakes and examined their tolerance to high concentrations of NaCl, MgCl2, and LiCl. We found that fungi from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium, as well as many yeasts are present in all analyzed lakes and sediments. Additionally, we discovered five fungal species unknown to science. Three belong to the phylum Ascomycota; one is tolerant to high NaCl concentrations, and the other two to MgCl2. Additionally, we identified one species in the order Hypocreales that tolerates high NaCl concentrations and another in the order Pleosporales that tolerates high LiCl concentrations. We also identified bacteria that thrive at elevated concentrations of LiCl, mostly from the genera Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Priestia, and Peribacillus.
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