Research overview on marine microbial diversity in the Indian Ocean^*

The Indian Ocean, the third largest ocean in the world, is surrounded by tropical seas such as the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, and Mozambique Channel. It covers a vast area with a highly complex environment and abundant resources. In recent years, the exploration and study of its marine resources have attracted significant global attention. Over the past decade, Chinese institutions such as the Ministry of Natural Resources (originally the State Oceanic Administration) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have organized annual large-scale scientific expeditions to investigate the region’s geology, biology, and mineral resources, actively supporting the Belt and Road Initiative. With advancements in multiple research fields, China has achieved notable results in exploring microbial resources in the Indian Ocean. Based on available statistical data, this review systematically summarizes the discovery and distribution of novel microbial species in Indian Ocean habitats, discusses the identification of bioactive natural products and their potential application, and evaluates future prospects for the conservation and exploitation of these microbial resources. The review aims to enhance China’s scientific understanding of Indian Ocean microbial resources and further consolidate and strengthen China’s leading position in this field.