Supplementary file 1_Diversity and functional genomic insights into antimicrobial resistance and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation genes in the Red Sea coast microbial community.docx

However, coastal sediment-associated microbial communities and their functional potential, particularly regarding antimicrobial resistance and aromatic compound degradation, remain insufficiently explored.</p>Methods<p>This study investigated bacterial diversity in coastal sediments from six sites along the eastern Red Sea using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and gained functional insights through genome sequencing of 21 cultured bacterial isolates.</p>Results<p>Amplicon sequencing revealed diverse bacterial communities dominated by Proteobacteria, followed by Bacteroidetes and Planctomycetes.

Alpha diversity indices showed no significant variation among sites, whereas beta diversity analysis demonstrated distinct community clustering influenced by environmental parameters, including temperature, salinity, and pH. Genomic analysis of 21 isolates identified multiple antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), conferring resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics such as beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines, alongside metal resistance determinants.