Plasmidomes have become the research area of interest for ecologists exploring bacteria rich ecosystems. Marine environments are among such niche that host a huge number of microbes and have a complex environment which pose the need to study these bacterial indicators of horizontal gene transfer events for survival and stability. The plasmid content of the metagenomics data from 8 sediment samples of the Gulfs of Kathiawar and an open Arabian Sea sample was screened. The reads corresponding to hits against the plasmid database were assembled and studied for diversity using Kraken and functional content using MG-RAST. The sequences were also checked for resistome and virulence factors. The replicon hosts were overall dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria while red algae specific to the Kutch samples. The genes encoded were dominant in the flagella motility and type VI secretion systems. Overall, results from the study confirmed that the plasmids encoded traits for metal, antibiotic, and phage resistance along with virulence systems, and these would be conferring benefit to the hosts. The study throws insights into the environmental role of the plasmidome in adaptation of the microbes in the studied sites to the environmental stresses.

质粒组已成为生态学家探索细菌丰富的生态系统的重要研究领域。海洋环境属于这类利基市场，拥有大量微生物并且环境复杂，因此有必要研究这些细菌水平水平转移事件的细菌指标以求生存和稳定性。筛选了来自Kathiawar海湾的8个沉积物样品和一个开放的阿拉伯海样品的宏基因组学数据的质粒含量。组装对应于质粒数据库命中的读数，并使用Kraken研究其多样性，并使用MG-RAST研究其功能内容。还检查了序列的抵抗力和毒力因子。复制宿主总体上由变形杆菌，Firmicutes和放线菌而红藻对库奇样品具特异性。编码的基因在鞭毛运动和VI型分泌系统中占主导地位。总体而言，该研究结果证实，该质粒编码了金属，抗生素和噬菌体抗性以及毒力系统特征，这些特征将为宿主带来益处。这项研究深入了解了质粒组在研究部位微生物适应环境胁迫方面的环境作用。