Dissecting the main factors affecting the viral abundance in a shrimp aquaculture ecosystem

During the last decades, shrimp farming has developed into one of the fastest-growing economic activities in coastal areas of the world. However, the global sustainability of this activity has become limited due to several factors, including its adverse environmental impact, the need for proper regulations, and the frequent emergence of viral diseases. Several conditions in aquaculture, such as overfeeding and overstocking, can trigger the emergence of viral pathogens. That, coupled with still limited knowledge about the factors boosting the abundance and variety of viruses residing in aquaculture facilities, could lead to the emergence of potentially lethal viral pathogens. On the other hand, many viruses play beneficial roles in maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems through lytic infection of bacteria and protozoans, which reduces the pressure on their hosts. Few studies have estimated the abundance of viral-like particles in aquaculture facilities. This study recognized some factors affecting the abundance of the viral community inhabiting a shrimp aquaculture facility in Bahía de Kino, Mexico, which may contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics, ecological roles, and epidemiology of viral communities in aquaculture ecosystems that can then aid for the future development of disease control strategies.