3.4 | Microbiota abundance and diversity
The carnivorous species had significantly lower number of microbiota species than omnivorous species (Figure 3A; p < .05). However, carnivorous, herbivorous and filter-feeder had no significant number of microbiota species (p > .05). Similarly, carnivorous and filter-feeder fish species had no significant difference in number of microbiota species (p > .05). The carnivorous species also had significantly lower abundance as reflected by Chao1 (Figure 3B) and ACE (Figure 3C) than omnivorous and herbivorous fish species (p < .05). The filter-feeder species also had significantly lower Chao1 than omnivorous species (p < .05). However, omnivorous, herbivorous and filter-feeder species had statistically no difference in Chao1 while herbivorous and filter-feeder species had no significant difference in ACE (p > .05). Similarly, carnivorous and filter-feeder fish species had no significant difference in in Chao1 and ACE (p > .05). The carnivorous fish had significantly lower Shannon diversity index (Figure 3D), but higher Simpson’s diversity index (Figure 3E). However, omnivorous, herbivorous and filter-feeder species had no significant difference in Shannon diversity index and Simpson’s diversity index (p > .05). Similarly, carnivorous, herbivorous and filter-feeder fish species had no significant difference in Shannon diversity index and Simpson’s diversity index (p > .05). The community diversity of the four fish followed the order omnivorous > herbivorous > filter-feeder > carnivorous.