Metagenomics reveals the taxonomy and resistance mechanism of antibiotic resistance genes in bacterial communities of an aquaculture pond

In order to reveal the distribution characteristics of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in freshwater aquaculture ponds, the microbial composition and antibiotic resistance gene types in the aquaculture environment were analyzed by using high-throughput and metagenomics sequencing technology. Our results showed that there were significant differences in the dominant bacteria composition in the water and sediment of aquaculture ponds. The dominant phylum in aquaculture water was Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes, while the phylum Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria were enriched in sediment. Compared with the comprehensive antibiotic research database (CARD), a total of 187 ARGs were identified, which were mainly multidrug, MLS and Tetracycline antibiotic resistance genes. There were 5 resistance mechanisms in the aquaculture environment, of which antibiotic efflux was the main resistance mechanism. Correlation analysis between ARGs and microbes showed that the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi significantly affected the abundance of major resistance genes. This study is of great significance to protect the micro-environment of aquaculture ponds and control the pollution and spread of ARGs.