Temporal variations of bacterial and eukaryotic community in coastal waters—implications for aquaculture

Abstract

Abstract Despite increased attention to the aquaculture environment, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the significance of water quality. To address this knowledge gap, this study utilized high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA to examine microbial communities (bacteria and eukaryotes) in coastal water over different months through long-term observations. The goal was to explore interaction patterns in the microbial community and identify potential pathogenic bacteria and red tide organisms. The results revealed significant differences in composition, diversity, and richness of bacterial and eukaryotic operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across various months. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) demonstrated distinct temporal variations in bacterial and eukaryotic communities, with significant differences (P = 0.001) among four groups: F (January-April), M (May), S (June–September), and T (October-December). Moreover, a strong association was observed between microbial communities and months, with most OTUs showing a distinct temporal preference. The Kruskal–Wallis test (P < 0.05) indicated significant differences in dominant bacterial and eukaryotic taxa among months, with each group exhibiting unique dominant taxa, including potential pathogenic bacteria and red tide organisms. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring changes in potentially harmful microorganisms in aquaculture. Network analysis highlighted positive correlations between bacteria and eukaryotes, with bacteria playing a key role in network interactions. The key bacterial genera associated with other microorganisms varied significantly (P < 0.05) across different groups. In summary, this study deepens the understanding of aquaculture water quality and offers valuable insights for maintaining healthy aquaculture practices. Key points • Bacterial and eukaryotic communities displayed distinct temporal variations. • Different months exhibited unique potential pathogenic bacteria and red tide organisms. • Bacteria are key taxonomic taxa involved in microbial network interactions.