Diversity and composition of microbial communities in shrimp ponds sediments: A metagenomic approach

The cultivation of Litopenaeus vannamei is of great economic importance to Ecuador, yet it faces significant challenges due to microbial diseases. This study analyzes the microbial metagenome in white shrimp culture ponds sediments, assessing the diversity and communities of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. Sediment samples were collected from ponds in three provinces with varying salinity levels: province of Guayas (6.28 g/L), El Oro (21 g/L), and Santa Elena (48 g/L). Through sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, diverse microbial communities were identified, significantly influenced by salinity. Results revealed that microbial communities vary among locations, highlighting the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Proteobacteria and beneficial ones like Firmicutes. Shannon and Simpson indices indicated high diversity and evenness in Guayas, El Oro, and Santa Elena (Shannon: 5.547, 5.810, and 4.326; Simpson: 0.9953, 0.9957, and 0.982, respectively). This analysis provides crucial information for improving management and sustainability of shrimp aquaculture, offering insights into the complex microbial ecosystems in culture environments and their potential impact on shrimp health and production.