Abstract: Algae are the main contributors to the primary productivity of the Antarctic and the basis of marine and terrestrial food webs. To cope with low temperatures, algae have formed a series of anti-stress mechanisms through long-term adaptation and evolution, which are essential to maintain the stability of the polar habitat. This paper summarizes the diversity and distribution of Antarctic algal species, reveals the adaptive strategies of algae in low-temperature environments (e.g., changes in the lipid composition of the cell membrane, production of intracellular and extracellular active substances, and evolutionary mechanisms), and summarizes the wide application of psychrophilic algae in nutrition and health, medical treatment, and the chemical and cosmetics industries. Further research is needed on Antarctic algal diversity, multiomics, the breakthrough of low-temperature algal culture technology, and the use of new low-temperature and low-temperature tolerant algal biological resources. With ongoing exploration of algal thermal adaptation strategies, algae adapted to low-temperature environments are likely to receive more attention in the future.

Key words: Antarctic algae, habitat, species diversity, low-temperature adaptation, biotechnology application