Metagenome assembled genomes from hypersaline microbial mats at the coast of Oman

In this study we investigated genomic adaptation of microorganisms to hypersalinity by comparing the functional potential of microbial genomes obtained from morphologically identical microbial mats naturally occurring at different salinity regimes (salt-crust covered > 30% and crust-free ~23% NaCl) within a sabkha at the coast of Oman. Furthermore, we compared stress-resistance-related genes of hypersaline cyanobacteria with those of cyanobacteria inhabiting other low water availability hot surface habitats like surface soils and biological soil crusts.