Uncovering the Fungal Diversity Colonizing Limestone Walls of a Forgotten Monument in the Central Region of Portugal by High-Throughput Sequencing and Culture-Based Methods

Fungal organisms are considered one of the most relevant stone colonizers, and biodeteriogens. They ubiquitous heterotrophs, metabolically versatile, ranging from generalist to extremophiles. Limestone, a sedimentary rock characterized by high levels calcium carbonate, has low compressive strength hardness porosity. These features make it highly susceptible fungal colonization an exceptional target for biodeterioration. Understanding mycobiome composition associated with different biodeterioration scenarios is key development effective guidelines strategies preventive conservation viable maintenance our cultural heritage. In this work, thorough analysis community on Lemos Pantheon, limestone-built artwork located in Portugal, was performed using high-throughput sequencing complemented culture-based methods. The combined results allowed detailed characterization communities each analyzed spot, revealing diverse dissimilar according type observed. addition, we verified that both cultivation metagenomics methodologies should be employed synergistically tackle inherent limitations.