Interactions between microbiota and metabolome in calicioid lichens and fungi

Our main objective is to investigate interactions between the composition and diversity of the microbiota and metabolome in calicioid lichens and fungi. Specific objectives are: 1. Quantify the impact of lichenization by comparing calicioid lichens with isolated mycobionts and non-lichenized calicioids; 2. Correlate the occurrence of lichen substances with lichen-specific microorganisms, and; 3. Scale the metabolome and microbiota diversity within tiny fungi associated with intact forest ecosystems.