An insight into gill microbiome of Eastern Mediterranean wild fish by applying next generation sequencing

Bacterial diseases of marine fish inflict significant economic damage to fisheries and aquaculture pose an increasing risk public health. When addressing disease, accumulating body research suggests adding another factor the classic epidemiological triangle host-environment-pathogen: microbiome. The gills, being a gateway into bearing important role in homeostasis, have been found be proxy gut microbiota as well reflecting microbial communities surrounding water. In this study, 16S rRNA amplicons bacterial DNA extracted from gills 89 asymptomatic specimens three wild species ( Pagrus caeruleostictus , Scomber colias Saurida lessepsianus ) were sequenced using Next Generation Sequencing methodology (NGS). Data analyses revealed presence 41 potentially pathogenic species, including several zoonotic agents. Five genera known include widespread chosen for further investigation: Photobacterium, Shewanella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus Vibrio . Of these, Photobacterium Shewanella proved most prevalent abundant, making up 30.2% 11.3% Bluespotted seabream P. gill microbiome alone. damselae baltica common at level. remaining - Vibrio, Staphylococcus – less prevalent, level comprised only 1−4% representatives. Gill microbiomes exhibited host specificity, with strong correlations between certain taxonomic groups. No definite obligatory bacteria it was suggested that are present either covert pathobionts or opportunists them.