Introduction
Aquaculture is crucial in tackling global food security issues where demand for food and economic growth is increasing. Tilapia, the world’s second-largest farmed fish, plays a vital role in meeting global demands, particularly in Thailand. Integrating knowledge of mycobiome dynamics with environmental management and aquaculture operations can enhance fish health, water quality, and overall ecosystem stability. It also boosts feed efficiency and lessens the reliance on antibiotics, making this holistic approach essential for sustainable and productive aquaculture systems. While mycobiome research in aquaculture shows great promise, several limitations hinder a complete understanding and practical application. Addressing these limitations requires advancements in technology, more robust experimental designs, and deeper functional investigations to fully grasp the mycobiome’s role in aquaculture.
Materials and methods
Hence, this study, as part of a broader series, aimed to examine the abundance, composition, and diversity of fungal communities in the rearing water and gills of red tilapia cultured in earthen ponds and open river cages in Central Thailand. This was achieved through comprehensive sampling and ITS rRNA gene sequencing, revealing associations and variations across different farming methods and locations..
Results
Our findings demonstrated a diverse fungal community with a wide range of taxa, where the top 21 fungal families accounted for over 5% of the total reads. Notably, Cladosporium , Aspergillus , and Fusarium were identified, with Cladosporium being the most abundant across all samples. Additionally, differences in fungal abundance and diversity were observed between water and gill samples, with Candida spp . predominating in gill samples and Rhodotorula spp. prevailing in water samples. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed associations between fungal abundance and environmental variables. Alpha diversity analysis revealed significant differences between water and gill samples, with the sampling source exerting the greatest effect on fungal diversity. Furthermore, beta diversity analysis indicated substantial variations in fungal community composition across sampling locations and farming styles, underscoring the impact of environmental factors and aquaculture practices on fungal community dynamics.
Conclusion
Overall, these findings offer valuable insights into the abundance, diversity, and distribution of fungal communities in red tilapia farms, emphasizing the need to consider fungal pathogens in aquaculture management strategies. Understanding the dynamics of these communities is crucial for mitigating disease risks, maintaining fish health, and ensuring food safety in aquaculture. Further research is necessary to clarify the specific mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis and the effects of environmental factors on fungal community dynamics in aquaculture settings.
Keywords: ITS rRNA, myco biome, metagenomic sequencing, r ed tilapia