Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiota Diversity, Composition, and Metabolic Functions in Wild and Farmed Conomurex luhuanus

Aims Conomurex luhuanus is an economically important Indo-Pacific gastropod supporting shellcraft industries and coastal food security. This study aimed to compare gut microbiota diversity, composition, and functional potential between wild and farmed C. luhuanus to assess environmental effects and inform sustainable aquaculture. Methods and Results Gut samples from 3 wild (CK) and 3 farmed (YZ) C. luhuanus were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing (V3-V4 region). α-diversity (Chao1, ACE, Shannon) was higher in CK (p < 0.05). β-diversity (PCoA, PERMANOVA) revealed distinct microbial structures between groups. At the phylum level, the gut microbiota of wild individuals was enriched in Proteobacteria, whereas Firmicutes and Bacteroidota dominated that of farmed snails. At the genus level, CK was enriched in Streptococcus and Escherichia–Shigella, whereas YZ was enriched in Bacteroides and Parabacteroides. PICRUSt2-based functional predictions indicated that CK showed higher relative abundances of pathways related to environmental adaptation (e.g. nutrient cycling), whereas YZ was enriched in pathways involved in energy metabolism. Conclusions Wild and farmed C. luhuanus exhibit pronounced differences in gut microbiota diversity, taxonomic composition, and predicted functions, reflecting contrasting natural and controlled rearing environments.