Lichens in outer space and Martian environment revisited: A statistical approach

Lichens are extraordinary organisms known for their ability to thrive in harsh climates, some of which are akin to the environmental conditions found on Mars. Despite extensive research, mysteries still shroud the mechanisms underlying lichen survival in such extreme environments. Numerous studies have investigated the resilience of various lichen species in space and simulated Martian conditions. Especially, evidence supporting their classification as extremophiles is multifaceted: (i) experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have further demonstrated their capacity to withstand extreme conditions akin to those found on Mars, (ii) scrutiny of Martian surface imagery has prompted speculation regarding the presence of structures resembling lichens, and (iii) observations in extreme terrestrial environments suggest the potential for lichens to inhabit Martian rocks, hinting at the existence of ‘endolithic lichens’. Under this scenario, the present work encapsulates the multifaceted evidence based on the data analytic techniques supporting the extremophilic nature of lichens and their potential implications for understanding life beyond Earth. However, the results thus obtained do not claim a full-scale positive signature of the existence of lichen rather provide a statistical high probability and demand further experimental evidences.