3.4 Community structure along the pollution gradient
A comparison of alpha diversity indices revealed statistically
significant differences between samples from skin and gut, as well as
between sites (Table 1, Table S4). Significant interaction was detected
between these two experimental factors. Seawater microbiota evidenced
lower species richness and diversity, while the other three sources
shared a similar richness and diversity regardless of sites (Figure S4).
Overall, environmental samples from the highly polluted site (SFB) were
higher in richness and diversity than the two other sites (Figure 4).
For the moderately polluted site (LCC), a higher richness and diversity
were observed in skin samples. Midgut microbiota is the richest and most
diverse community in samples from the low polluted site (TPC).