Requirement of vitamin E of growing sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka

This feeding trial was conducted to determine the vitamin E requirement of growing sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated to contain graded levels of vitamin E (6.7, 81.2, 159.3, 237.8, 314.6, 395.9 mg/kg diet). Each diet was assigned randomly to 30 growing sea cucumber with initial body weight 15.43 g in triplicates for 8 weeks. Survival rate was not affected by dietary vitamin E; meanwhile, both the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate were presented the trend of increasing first and then kept stable. With the increasing of dietary vitamin E, crude lipid content of body wall was evaluated firstly and dropped afterwards. When dietary vitamin E contents were lower than 159.3 mg/kg, vitamin E contents of body wall were increased by dietary vitamin E levels, but there were no more differences when dietary vitamin E higher than 159.3 mg/kg. There were minor effects on digestive enzymes of intestine by dietary vitamin E. Contents of malondialdehyde were decreased, while the total superoxide dismutase activity was increased first and then decreased with the increasing of dietary vitamin E. Activities of intestinal alkaline phosphatase were increased, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were decreased first and then increased with the increasing of dietary vitamin E. In conclusion, analysis by a linear regression equation of WG or vitamin E contents in body wall indicated that the optimum requirement of vitamin E for growing sea cucumber (initial body weight 15.43 g) was 165.2–187.2 mg/kg diet.     

Effects of dietary peptide intake on growth,energy budget,body composition and non‐specific immunity of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

In this study, a 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of feed supplementating the feed of Apostichopus japonicus with peptides on its growth, energy budget, body composition and immune responses. Sea cucumbers were fed with five experimental diets supplemented with different proportions of peptides: 0 (D1), 12.5 (D2), 25 (D3), 37.5 (D4) and 50 (D5) g/kg in basal diet. Our results suggested that specific growth rate (SGR) and ratio of viscera to body wall (RVBW) of sea cucumbers fed with D4 were significantly improved. Relative to D1, ingestion rate (IR) and faeces production rate (FPR) for D3 and D4 were reduced considerably. Notably, the energy intake increased when peptide level increased from 0 to 50 g/kg. Meanwhile, the energy deposited for growth increased, and the energy loss decreased when peptide level increased from 0 to 37.5 g/kg. The sea cucumbers in D4 had the highest level of crude fat and lowest crude ash. The activities of immunoenzyme, such as SOD, CAT, T‐AOC, ACP and AKP, increased with peptide increase. Results suggested that supplementation of the feed with 25–37.5 g/kg peptides could significantly improve the growth performance, body composition and immune capacity of Apostichopus japonicus.     

Effects of diatom concentration in prepared feeds on growth and energy budget of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

Eight test diets were used in the experiment: seven fresh diatom (Cylindrotheca fusiformis) diets in which diatom occupied 100%, 83.3%, 50%, 33.3%, 20%, 14.3% and 11.1% in dry matter of the feeds (marked as D100, D83, D50, D33, D20, D14 and D11), and a formulated diet (70% Sargassum thunbergii powder, 20% sea mud and 10% fish meal, based on dry weight, marked as ST). The results showed that the specific growth rates (SGRs) of the animals fed diets D33, D20, D14 and D11 were not significantly different from the SGR of those fed diet ST. However, the energy allocated to growth for the animals fed with diet D14 was twice that of diet ST. For sea cucumbers fed diet D14 the largest expenditure part was allocated to respiration (55.4%), but for those fed diet ST, the largest part was allocated to faeces (62.7%). The organic content of diet D14 was also much lower than that of diet ST. Frozen diatom diets containing 14% (dry matter weight) fresh diatom could be an environmentally friendly feed as an alternative option for macroalgae powder.     

Utilization of dietary carbohydrates by sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) as indicated by carbon stable isotope analysis

Carbon stable isotopes were used as trophic markers to investigate the utilization of dietary terrestrial‐source carbohydrates by sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers were fed by five different types of diets with the ingredients containing Sargassum muticum either without starch or with one of the four starches including corn starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca starch and potato starch. After the 70‐day feeding trial, the carbon isotopic compositions of A. japonicus appeared to reflect those of corresponding dietary components. The average contribution of corn starch (22.0%) to the growth of A. japonicus was slightly higher than the expected contribution (20%). While the proportional contributions of sweet potato, tapioca and potato starches (6.0%, 7.0% and 4.0%, respectively) were all considerably lower relative to the expected contributions. These results indicated that A. japonicus could utilize corn starch more efficiently than sweet potato, tapioca or potato starch. Moreover, A. japonicus fed diet containing corn starch showed the highest specific growth rates which were significantly higher than those fed diets containing potato or tapioca starch. The results of the present study suggested that the corn starch could be used as dietary carbohydrate source in the artificial feeds for A. japonicus farming.     

Effects of stocking density and body physical contact on growth of sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of physical contact on the growth of Apostichopus japonicus through various stocking densities, group culture and physical isolation culture. The results showed that the specific growth rates (SGR), the feed conversion efficiencies and the energy used for growth of the animal decreased with the increase in stocking density, while the coefficient of variations (CV) in group culture treatments increased. In high density treatments (4, 6 ind./40 L), the SGRs in isolated culture treatments were not different to those in group culture treatments of the same density, however, the CVs in the latter (58.0% and 60.4%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the former (37.8% and 35.8%, respectively). The CV difference between group one and isolated one of the same density (20.2% and 24.7%, respectively) was less than that in single individual culture (32.7%), indicating that the effect of physical contact on growth variation was weaker than that of genetic factor. This study proved that the individual growth variation in sea cucumber resulted mainly from genetic factor and physical contact, while some chemical mediator might also be the factor affecting the growth rate of sea cucumber.     

Spontaneous captive breeding and larval development in the green and red variants of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka 1867)

We report the spontaneous spawning, larval development, survival rate and larval growth rate patterns observed in the green and red variants of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. The green variant adapted well to the captive conditions in the Sasebo City Fisheries Center and spontaneously spawned without any induction or stimulation. One hundred individual green variants spawned nine times and produced approximately 155 million eggs. In contrast, 50 individual red variants showed poor adaptation to captivity and spawned spontaneously only three times, producing about 12 million eggs. Larval development and growth rate pattern was almost identical between the two variants of A. japonicus. In contrast, the larval survival rate for the green variant was over 90% up to the auricularia stage (10 days), but much low (less than 30%) for the red variant. We demonstrated that the green variant of A. japonicus was easier to rear in captivity. This provides a useful method for maintaining sustainable harvests and eventually contributing to restocking and sea ranching of the existing population. Further studies about optimal ecological conditions and behaviour are needed to improve egg production and survival rate of the red variant of A. japonicus.     

Effects of dietary macroalgae meal and lipid source on growth performance and body wall fatty acid composition of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A 70‐day experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different macroalgal meals and lipid sources on growth, body wall composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Two macroalgal meals including Sargassum muticum (SM) and Gracilaria lemaneiformis (GL) and two lipid sources including fish oil (FO) and vegetable oil (VO) were formulated into four diets, i.e., S. muticum and fish oil (SF), S. muticum and vegetable oil (SV), G. lemaneiformis and fish oil (GF) and G. lemaneiformis and vegetable oil (GV). The results showed that the specific growth rates (SGR) of A. japonicus fed diets containing SM were significantly higher than those fed diets containing GL. No significant differences in SGR between the FO‐based and VO‐based groups were observed. Similar results were observed in the body wall lipid content. Most body wall FAs changed to resemble the dietary FA proportions because of the dietary effect. Concentrations of 20:4n‐6 of the SF and GF groups were significantly lower than the SV and GV groups, while levels of 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 were significantly higher than the SV and GV groups. The n‐3/n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratios of the SF and GF groups were significantly higher than the SV and GV groups. Moreover, the SF group had significantly higher 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 contents and n‐3/n‐6 PUFAs ratio than the GF group. These findings reveal that the SF diet can show beneficial effects on both growth performance and body wall n‐3 PUFAs content of A. japonicus.     

Effect of replacing dietary fish meal with silkworm (Bombyx mori L) caterpillar meal on growth and non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

The effect of dietary substitution of silkworm (Bombyx mori L) meal (SM) for fishmeal (FM) on the growth performance and non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) (initial weight: 12.8 ± 0.16 g) was determined. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated: Diet 1, which served as the control diet, contained 5% FM; Diet 2 contained 3.75% FM and 1.25% SM; Diet 3 contained 2.5% FM and 2.5% SM; and Diet 4 contained 5% SM. Other ingredients in each of the four diets were kept in the same proportion. After 8 weeks of feeding, the results showed that sea cucumbers fed Diet 2 had 18.7% increases in weight over those fed the control diet, but no significant difference was observed. No obvious difference in body wall composition was detected among the sea cucumbers fed the four different diets. Immunity analysis indicated that phagocytosis and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected when FM was partially or completely replaced with SM. Serum lysozyme activity of sea cucumbers fed Diet 4 showed a significant (P < 0.05) growth increase compared with those fed control diet. The results revealed that SM could be an effective substitute for FM in sea cucumber diet.     

Effect of temperature on growth,digestion and immunity of green,white and purple sea cucumbers,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

Three color morphs (white, green and purple strains) of Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) were cultured in artificial seawater, for approximately 90 days, in three temperature ranges: 27–22°C (high), 22–17°C (mid) and 17–12°C (low). All strains grew in all temperature ranges. Temperature significantly affected growth rate, digestibility, digestive enzymes and immune‐related enzymes. Highest specific growth rates were exhibited in 4‐month‐old sea cucumbers at mid and high temperatures, and in 16‐month‐old sea cucumbers at mid and low temperatures. Specific growth rates of green and purple strains were not significantly different, but were significantly higher than that of the white strain at mid temperatures. The digestibility of each strain was significantly higher at 27°C, 22°C and 17°C than at 12°C. Green‐strain digestibility was higher than that of purple and white strains at specific temperatures. Protease and amylase activities of all strains followed bell‐shaped temperature curves with maximum digestive enzyme activity at 17°C. The activities of alkaline and acid phosphatases were higher in the guts of the green strain than in the white or purple strains at the same temperature. Superoxide dismutase activity was higher in the purple strain than in white and green strains.     

Optimum dietary protein level for growth and coelomic fluid non‐specific immune enzymes of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus juvenile

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein level of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus juvenile focusing on growth performance and non‐specific immune response. Diets with seven crude protein levels (42.0, 108.9, 155.2, 216.7, 258.0, 313.3 and 357.5 g kg^?1) were fed to sea cucumber juveniles (1.05 ±0.01 g) once a day for 100 days. More than 70% survival was observed, and there was no significant difference among all treatments. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 108.9 g kg^?1 crude protein showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain than those of the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 42.0, 216.7, 258.0, 313.3 and 357.5 g kg^?1 crude protein. No significantly differences (P > 0.05) were observed in moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash and carbohydrate content of the body wall among all treatments. The coelomic fluid catalase activity of the sea cucumbers generally increased with increasing dietary protein levels. Therefore, the acid phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme activity increased with increasing dietary protein levels at first and decreased subsequently. The relationship between dietary protein levels and body weight gain was analysed by a second‐order polynomial regression analysis model. The result indicates that the optimum dietary protein level for sea cucumber juveniles is 135.4 g kg^?1.     

Cryopreservation of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) sperm

A simple and convenient method for the cryopreservation of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) sperm was tested in the present study. The highest motility (76.7±2.9%) of post‐thawing sperm was obtained in 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) with a 1:9 dilution (semen volume to DMSO volume) when 0.5 mL semen–DMSO mixture was frozen at 6 cm above liquid N₂ in a closed styrofoam box. After thawing, sperm cryopreserved in glycerol almost lost motility entirely. Although there was no significant difference in percentage of motile sperm between 15% and 20% DMSO, the duration of sperm motility of 15% DMSO group was longer than that of 20% DMSO group. The motility of post‐thawing sperm enhanced when the dilution ratio of semen increased from 1:1 to 1:9. Morphological changes such as the loss of mitochondria, swollen plasma membrane and broken or rolled‐up tails were observed in post‐thawing sperm using an eosin–nigrosin staining. The fertility of cryopreserved sperm was significantly lower than that of unfrozen sperm. The 10‐fold increase in sperm to egg ratio resulted in double fertility for cryopreserved sperm, and about 70% fertility relative to the control.     

饲料添加半乳甘露寡糖对刺参幼参生长、体壁营养组成及免疫力的影响

以初始体质量为(1.79±0.06) g的刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)为研究对象, 进行为期8周养殖实验, 研究饲料中添加半乳甘露寡糖对刺参生长、消化、体壁营养组成及免疫力的影响。以基础饲料(E0)为对照组, 在基础饲料中分别添加0.2% (E1)、0.4% (E2)、0.8% (E3)、1.2% (E4)和1.6% (E5)的半乳甘露寡糖, 共配制5种实验饲料。结果表明: (1) 饲料中添加不同浓度的半乳甘露寡糖对幼参增重率及特定生长率具有显著影响, 各处理组均显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 而对脏壁比及肠壁比无显著影响(P>0.05), 1.2%(E4组)添加水平下, 刺参增重率及特定生长率最高。(2) 饲料中添加不同浓度的半乳甘露寡糖对幼参肠道蛋白酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶活力均无显著影响(P>0.05)。(3) 饲料中添加不同浓度的半乳甘露寡糖对幼参体壁酸性黏多糖及糖醛酸含量无显著影响(P>0.05)。添加半乳甘露寡糖比例0.2%(E1)、0.4%(E2)、0.8%(E3)、1.2%(E4)的处理组, 刺参体壁氨基酸总量及谷氨酸、甘氨酸、精氨酸含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 而1.6%(E5)组体壁氨基酸总量及Glu、Gly、Arg含量与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05)。(4) 饲料中添加半乳甘露寡糖对体壁及体腔液超氧化物歧化酶、碱性磷酸酶及溶菌酶活性具有显著影响(P<0.05), 同时对体腔细胞溶菌酶活性影响显著(P<0.05)。实验可以得到以下结论: (1) 饲料中添加半乳甘露寡糖不仅可以提高刺参免疫力, 并且可以提高特定生长率, 并改善体壁氨基酸组成; (2) 刺参饲料中半乳甘露寡糖的合适添加比例为1.2%。     

Effect of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide complex with Ce (IV) on growth,immunity and disease resistance against Vibrio splendidus of sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicas

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide complex with cerium (Ce IV) (COS‐Ce) on growth performance, nonspecific immunity and disease resistance of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicas. Five isonitrogenous (18.6%) and isolipidic (1.1%) practical diets were formulated with graded level of COS‐Ce (0, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 mg kg^?1 dry feed), which were named as COS‐Ce/0, COS‐Ce/150, COS‐Ce/300, COS‐Ce/600, COS‐Ce/1200 respectively. Each diet was allocated to four replicates of sea cucumbers (Initial weight: 6.72 ± 0.02 g). Sea cucumbers were fed to apparent satiation once daily (19:00 hours) for 56 days. During the experiment, water temperature was kept at 16 ± 0.5°C, pH 7.8–8.2, dissolved oxygen beyond 5 mg L^?1, ammonia nitrogen below 0.5 mg L^?1 and salinity from 30‰ to 31‰. Results showed that the specific growth rate of sea cucumbers was significantly higher in COS‐Ce/600 than that in other four treatments. Activities of phagocytosis, respiratory burst, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in COS‐Ce/600 were significantly higher than that in COS‐Ce/0 (P < 0.05) respectively. On the contrary, cumulative mortality was the lowest in COS‐Ce/600 following 14 days exposure to Vibrio splendidus (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results confirmed that dietary COS‐Ce had beneficial effects on growth performance, nonspecific immunity and disease resistance of sea cucumber.     

饲料对吊笼养殖仿刺参生长及体成分的影响

在水温16.6~11.6℃、盐度29.3~27.6的海域环境条件下,将1 080 cfu初始体质量为(51.8±6.9)g的仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)放养于4组共36个网箱吊笼(规格为72 cm×39 cm×31 cm,分为6层),每个吊笼30 cfu(每层5 cfu),分别投喂海带(A组)、海带+鲜杂鱼糜(B组)、海带+扇贝边粉(C组)和仿刺参粉状配合饲料(D组),研究了不同饲料对仿刺参生长和体成分的影响。84 d的饲养结果表明,各处理组仿刺参成活率(SR)和脏壁比(VBWR)均差异不显著(P0.05),但增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料系数(FCR)和蛋白质效率(PER)却不同。各组WGR、SGR分别介于172.3%~79.6%和(1.19~0.70)%·d-1之间,B、C两组WGR、SGR均差异不显著(P0.05),但显著高于A、D两组(P0.05),D组最小。B组FCR最低,D组最高,各处理组之间差异显著(P0.05)。A组PER最高,D组最低,各处理组之间差异显著(P0.05)。饲料影响仿刺参体成分,D组水分含量显著低于其它3组(P0.05),其它3组之间差异不显著(P0.05);各组粗蛋白含量变化在40.0%~48.1%之间,C组显著高于其它3组(P0.05),其它3组之间差异不显著(P0.05);粗脂肪含量变化较大,为1.3%~3.8%之间,B组最高,C组最低,各处理组之间差异显著(P0.05);A组灰分含量显著高于其它3组(P0.05),B组显著高于C、D两组(P0.05),而C、D两组之间无显著差异(P0.05)。综合仿刺参各生长指标,在试验饲料组中,饲喂海带与鲜杂鱼糜搭配饲料(B组)对网箱吊笼养殖仿刺参效果较好。     

不同水温对刺参幼参生长、呼吸及体组成的影响

设计不同温度梯度(10～25℃),对刺参(Apostichopusjaponicus)幼参的生长、耗氧率和体组成进行分析。结果表明,温度对刺参幼参生长有显著性影响,生长曲线呈"钟形",在水温10～15℃,特定生长率逐渐升高,在水温15～25℃,特定生长率逐渐降低。根据温度与特定生长率关系式计算得出,刺参最适生长温度为15 5℃。不同温度对刺参幼参耗氧率有显著性影响,在10～25℃,随着温度升高,刺参幼参耗氧率呈逐渐上升趋势。20～25℃的温度系数(Q10)高于10～15℃和15～20℃的Q10,表明高温时温度变化对刺参幼参影响较大。协方差分析表明,不同温度对刺参幼参体组成和能值有显著影响(P<0 05)。在10℃处理组,刺参体内粗蛋白、粗脂肪与能值均最高。随着温度的升高,粗脂肪含量和能值逐渐降低。     

Effects of l‐tryptophan on the performance,energy partitioning and endocrine response of Japanese sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) exposed to crowding stress

The effects of dietary tryptophan on growth performance, energy budget and endocrine response of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) were studied, to test whether the tryptophan could mitigate the crowding stress response of the sea cucumber. Four density treatments of the sea cucumber (i.e. 4, 8, 16 and 32 individuals per 40 L water, represented as L, ML, MH and H) were fed with diets containing 0 (control), 1%, 3% and 5% l ‐tryptophan, respectively, for 75 days. The results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCE) of A. japonicus decreased with increasing in the stocking densities but increased after supplementation of 1% and 3% tryptophan. The energy allocation of the A. japonicus was affected significantly by stocking density and dietary tryptophan treatments (p < .05). In general, the energy consumed (C) and energy used for growth (G) decreased with the increasing in the stocking densities. The highest proportion of energy deposited to growth occurred in each 3% treatment (L, 6.38%; ML, 6.12%; MH, 4.56% and H, 4.14%), which were significantly higher than the controls (p < .05) respectively. Higher cortisol, glucose and lactate levels of A. japonicus were recorded in the control treatments of MH and H, but l ‐tryptophan supplementation could reduce the levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate of the test animals. The present results proved that the growth performance of the sea cucumber was inhibited by high stocking densities, while dietary supplementation of tryptophan could significantly mitigate the crowding stress, and improve the growth of sea cucumber.     

5种海藻在刺参幼参饲料中的应用研究

本研究通过分析刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)幼参[(10.02±0.03) g]生长性能、体组成、肠道消化酶活性及非特异性免疫性能的变化,评价鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)、铜藻(Sargassaum horneri)、海带(Saccharina japonica)、海带渣、石莼(Ulva lactuca L.)及混合藻粉在刺参幼参养殖中的应用效果,在室内循环水系统中进行了为期56 d的养殖实验。结果显示,1) 鼠尾藻和混合藻粉组刺参的增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)极显著高于其他各藻粉组(P<0.01),海带渣组刺参的WGR和SGR最低,肠体比(IBR)和脏体比(VBR)均显著低于其他各组(P<0.05),藻粉对刺参存活率(SR)影响不显著(P>0.05);2) 不同藻粉对刺参体壁水分、粗灰分、粗蛋白和粗脂肪影响不显著(P>0.05);3) 鼠尾藻和混合藻粉组肠道胰蛋白酶活性极显著高于海带、海带渣和石莼组,海带渣组最低(P<0.01);藻粉对α-淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性无显著影响(P>0.05),但对刺参粪便的酸不溶性灰分具有极显著影响(P<0.01);4) 鼠尾藻组和混合藻粉组刺参肠道超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性极显著高于其他各组(P<0.01),海带渣组丙二醛(MDA)含量极显著高于其他各组(P<0.01)。研究表明,在本实验条件下,综合考虑刺参的生长性能及非特异性免疫性能,添加任一海藻均未达到替代鼠尾藻的饲喂效果,但多种海藻混合添加,其生长性能及非特异性免疫性能与单独添加鼠尾藻效果一致。     

Microbial communities in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) culture pond and the effects of environmental factors

This study investigated microbial community composition as well as their correlation with environmental factors of Apostichopus japonicus culture ponds in northern China by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed that microbiota richness varied consistently with diversity in the pond ecosystem. Microbiota richness and diversity were highest in sediment, followed by gut of A. japonicus and water. The dominant bacterial phylum in the pond ecosystem is Proteobacteria. Gammaproteobacteriaeria and Flavobacteria are two dominant bacterial classes in the ecosystem. There is significant difference (p < 0.05) between dominant bacterial communities at the levels of order, family and genus. There is also remarkable regional difference (p < 0.05) between microbial community composition in the pond ecosystems. Specifically, microbial community composition in Changhai and Yingkou show a high similarity, so do those of Laoting and Rushan. According to the redundancy analysis of the microbial community composition and pond environmental factors, chemical oxygen demand is the dominant environmental factor determining microbial community composition in pond water; sulphide has the greatest influence on the microbial community composition in pond sediment; the rest of environmental factors have varied influence on microbial community composition in pond ecosystems.