Genome-resolved metagenomics provides insights into the functional complexity of microbial mats in Blue Holes, Shark Bay.

The present study describes for the first time the community composition and functional potential of the microbial mats found in the supratidal, gypsum-rich, and hypersaline region of Blue Holes, Shark Bay. This was achieved via high throughput metagenomic sequencing of total mat community DNA and complementary analyses using hyperspectral confocal microscopy. Mat communities were dominated by Proteobacteria (29%), followed by Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Group (11%), and Planctomycetes (10%). These mats were found to also harbor a diverse community of potentially novel microorganisms including members from the DPANN, Asgard archaea, and Candidate Phyla Radiation, with highest diversity found in the lower regions (∼14-20 mm depth) of the mat. In addition to pathways for major metabolic cycles, a range of putative rhodopsins with previously uncharacterized motifs and functions were identified along with heliorhodopsins and putative schizorhodopsins. Critical microbial interactions were also inferred, and from 117 medium-to-high quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), viral defense mechanisms (CRISPR, BREX, and DISARM), elemental transport, osmoprotection, heavy metal and UV resistance were also detected. These analyses have provided a greater understanding of these distinct mat systems in Shark Bay, including key insights into adaptive responses and proposing that photoheterotrophy may be an important lifestyle in Blue Holes.