Long-read metagenomic sequencing of the symbiotic microorganisms in Cladonia uncialis

As symbiotic complexes formed through the association of bacteria or algae with fungi, lichens exhibit exceptional adaptability to extreme environments and function as pioneer species in rocky habitat ecological succession. Prevailing binary symbiosis models, centered on mycobiont-photobiont interactions, neglect the functional significance of bacterial consortia in holobiont environmental resilience. We characterized the symbiotic microbial community of Cladonia uncialis using long-read sequencing. Based on long-read metagenomic sequencing data, 31 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were successfully constructed. Among them, 2 MAGs were identified at the species level: semibin2_9 was identified as Acidovorax sp000302535, and semibin2_22 was identified as Agrobacterium oryzihabitans. Long-read sequencing significantly improved the detection rate of low-abundance microbial communities, such as semibin2_31 (PacBio: 0.35% vs MGI: 0.01%)