Flechten-Mikrobiom: eine alte Symbiose neu entdeckt

Symbioses represent a frequent and successful lifestyle on Earth. Recently, bacterial communities were identified as stable, specific, and structurally integrated partners of the classical lichen symbiosis. We found that the diverse microbiota have the ability to contribute multiple aspects to the symbiotic system, including health, growth, and fitness. We developed a model of the symbiosis depicting the functional multi-player network of the participants, and argue that the strategy of functional diversification supports longevity of lichens under extreme conditions.