Draft genomic DNA sequence of the multi-resistant Sphingomonas sp. strain AntH11 isolated from an Antarctic hypolith

Abstract

Hypoliths are microbially colonized translucent rocks that represent a key refuge niche in extreme arid environments such as the Antarctic Dry Valleys. These cryptic microbial assemblages are crucial as they mediate numerous ecosystem processes. Here, we present the first draft genome of a hypolith isolate belonging to the α-proteobacterial class and the genus Sphingomonas. The draft genome of Sphingomonas sp. strain AntH11 shows the capacity of this organism to adapt to the extreme cold and arid conditions encountered in Antarctic desert soils. Our result also suggests that its metabolic versatility and multidrug resistance constitutes an opportunistic advantage in competition with other hypolith-colonizing microorganisms.