Metabarcoding-Based Characterization of Diet Biota in the Gonggong Conch Laevistrombus turturella as a Potential Natural Feed Source

Abstract

The gonggong conch Laevistrombus turturella is a highly valued seafood due to its excellent taste, high nutritional quality, and economic importance. However, increasing demand continues to rely on wild harvesting, raising concerns about overexploitation. Sustainable aquaculture is therefore essential, yet constraints persist, particularly regarding the suitability and availability of natural feed. Metabarcoding offers a high-resolution approach for identifying planktonic organisms as potential feed candidates, surpassing the accuracy of conventional visual methods. This study used DNA metabarcoding to characterize the gut content of L. turturella and to identify priority natural feed biota. The technique detected more than 10 times as many taxa as visual inspection, providing a clearer understanding of the species dietary profile. Ostracoda and Bacillariophyceae emerged as key candidate groups, with Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros spp. identified as the most suitable species based on their nutritional value, cell size, and culture tolerance. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing natural feed formulations to support the aquaculture of L. turturella.