Cold adapted crustose lichens are one of the most dominant vegetation forming organisms colonizing rocks in high mountainous areas. Each lichen thallus forms a mini-ecosystem composed of not only the main symbiotic partners (myco- & photobiont) but also a bacterial microbiome and further associated micro-algae and fungi. Bacteria-fungus-algae associations are affected by environmental conditions and may therefore be useful as bioindicators.
For this study the bacterial microbiome composition and the associations of the two dominant symbiotic partners of lecideoid lichens were analyzed in context of environmental conditions along an elevational gradient. 176 lichen specimens were collected at eight areas from 1177 to 2571 m a.s.l. along the Gross-Glockner-High-Alpine-Road in the NP Hohe Tauern (Salzburg, Austria).
Acetobacteriaceae dominate the bacterial communities, which is most probably caused by the silicate substrate. Overall, community composition comprising representatives of Acidobacteria, Armatimonadaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Planctomycetaceae and further bacterial families was site-specific. Bacterial composition was also strongly affected by the identity of the myco- and photobiont species. Interaction network analysis revealed a peak in complementary specialization H2’ of myco-/photobiont interactions in the last third of the elevational gradient indicating a higher sensitivity to environmental factors. Along an elevational gradient, the bacterial communities are influenced not only by environmental conditions, but also by the associated main symbiotic partners in the lichen thallus.
Funded by Großglockner-Öko-Fonds and Land Salzburg.
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