Diverse virome and microbiome and their interactions for biodeterioration of Angkorian Bayon Temple in Cambodia

Biodedeterioration of stone monuments is associated with the microbiome, but the role of viruses in this process remains unknown largely. In this study, we utilized metagenomic analysis to investigate the microbiome and virome of the Bayon Temple in Cambodia. Protein-sharing network demonstrate a wide diversity of unclassified virus species on the deteriorated sandstone. By analysis of encoding auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), viruses form tight metabolic interactions with their hosts, in energy metabolism, cofactor metabolism, sugar metabolism, and organic acid metabolism. Microbial community and metabolic characterization of the microbiome revealed that Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota , and Acidobacteriota are the three most predominant microbial phyla in the microbial community and encode a high abundance of secondary metabolite genes. Notably, ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and nitrate-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were also recovered, suggesting the production of nitric acid (HNO 3 ) or nitrous acid (HNO 2 ) together with acidity. Specificity, metabolic reconstruction of viral AMG highlights the importance of viruses in biogeochemical cycling and biodegradation of Bayon Temple stones. These findings provide crucial insights into the ecological role of viruses in heritage degradation.