Ecological dynamics of the Atlantic salmon gut microbiota across developmental phases and geographic regions

Abstract

The gut microbiota is vital to host health, yet the relative influence of host traits and environmental factors on fish gut microbiota dynamics remains underexplored. We investigated the ecological dynamics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) gut microbiota, by analysing 847 samples from wild and farmed salmon across diverse geographic regions, developmental phases, and associated diet and environmental microbiota. Farmed salmon exhibits reduced microbial diversity and distinct community composition with increased Firmicutes and reduced Proteobacteria compared to wild salmon. Microbial diversity declined with advancing developmental phases notably due to reduced Proteobacteria and expanded Mycoplasma. Diet was the primary contributor ([~]23%) to farmed salmon microbiota, with environmental inputs varying by region and phase. These findings highlight the importance of aquaculture practices guided by microbiota insights, while emphasize the need to preserve microbial diversity in wild populations to enhance resilience against environmental pressures, contributing to both sustainable farming and conservation strategies.