The microbiomes of seven lichen genera reveal host specificity, a reduced core community and potential as source of antimicrobials

Lichens, which are complex symbiotic structures that contain diverse commensal microbial communities. In this study, we analyzed the microbiomes of seven lichen genera in two Colombian Paramos using 16S rRNA gene analysis. We provide the first description of the bacterial communities associated with two lichen genera: Cora and Hypotrachyna. Lichen microbiomes could be distinguished based on the identity of the lichen host. We identified a core microbiome with a limited number of shared OTUs, suggesting that the majority of the members present in these lichen microbiomes are transient or specialists, rather than cosmopolitan bacteria.