Social-Ecological Systems (SESs) are shaped by complex interactions between natural processes, governance structures, environmental pressures, and human perceptions. To evaluate these multidimensional dynamics in diverse transboundary coastal areas, this study presents the first application of the Conservation and Human Use Index (CHUI) across ten case studies representing contrasting ecological, institutional, and socio-cultural contexts. The CHUI, grounded in the Social-Ecological Systems Framework (SESF), operationalises system performance through 134 standardised indicators spanning four equally weighted dimensions: Resource System, Environment, Governance, and Actors. Indicators were identified by scientific literature, management documents, and cross-stakeholder consultations, enabling qualitative insights to be translated into semi-quantitative metrics through a harmonised scoring protocol. Results reveal marked variation among the identified case studies, reflecting distinct combinations of ecological conditions, exposure to anthropogenic and climatic pressures, governance effectiveness, and the quality of human-nature relations. Overall, the first CHUI assessment results demonstrate the tool’s effectiveness as both a diagnostic framework and a comparative platform for identifying leverage points, guiding adaptive governance, and supporting integrated coastal management. It highlights the importance of balancing ecological protection, institutional strength, and socially legitimate processes to enhance the assessment of baseline conditions and system vulnerabilities across coastal SESs.

Biological invasions are a well-documented driver of marine biodiversity change, yet quantitative frameworks to classify invasion stages and guide management remain limited. In the Adriatic Sea, the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is an invasive alien species (IAS) which is widely distributed, reportedly altering ecosystem function and impacting local socio-ecological wellbeing. In response to these challenges, this study aimed to provide a tool which can assess population structure together with invasion dynamics in order to support management action. A coordinated monitoring programme was conducted through the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021-2027 “BlueDiversity” project, during which IAS across eight pilot areas were monitored. Ecologically relevant morphometrics and demographics were recorded for individuals captured in the traps. Population structure was investigated in four Adriatic regions focused on coastal-marine areas, including estuaries and lagoons protected under Natura 2000. The four regions include: north, central east, central west and south. Morphometric traits (carapace width, length, thickness and weight), demographic indicators (juvenile-to-adult ratio, sex ratio), and catch-per-unit-effort were integrated into the Composite Invasion Index (CII scales from 0 to 10) to classify populations as Arrival, Establishment, or Expansion. Spatial variation in morphology and demographics revealed invasion-stage patterns consistent with ecological theory. Northern populations were adult-dominated and abundant, reflecting intermediate establishment. Central Eastern populations were dominated by adults and relatively less abundant. In contrast, Central West and southern populations exhibited high juvenile proportions, balanced to female dominated sex ratios, and elevated abundance, consistent with active expansion. These patterns aligned with environmental gradients: nutrient-rich northern systems supported stable populations, whereas warmer, more saline southern regions favored recruitment. These findings demonstrate an integrated morphometric and demographic index which provides a scalable framework to operationalize invasion-stage assessments.

Three ageing reservoirs in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Ureje constructed in 1958, Egbe in 1982, and Ero in 1989), were comparatively assessed to evaluate fish assemblages and their conservation relevance. Despite the absence of formal fisheries governance, all three reservoirs supported temporally stable fish communities with low overall diversity. A core assemblage of six species dominated across sites, while species richness increased from seven species in the small urban Ureje reservoir to nine species in the larger and more rural Ero reservoir. Four native species that have become locally scarce in surrounding river systems (Heterotis niloticus, Parachanna obscura, Hepsetus odoe, and Hyperopisus bebe) persisted at low but consistent abundance. Aquatic environmental variables remained within suitable limits for freshwater fishes, and trophic structure appeared intact across the reservoirs. Catch density was substantially higher in the urban reservoir compared to the rural systems, reflecting spatial differences in fishing intensity. Overall, the findings demonstrate that small tropical reservoirs can function as important freshwater habitats that sustain fish biodiversity and fisheries production in modified landscapes.

The crystal-Stellate interaction is the first known example of piRNA-mediated regulation between heterochromatin (the crystal/Suppressor of Stellate [Su(Ste)] locus on the Y chromosome) and euchromatin (the Stellate locus on the X chromosome) in Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we comprehensively annotate the Y-linked crystal/Su(Ste) sequences using Release 6 and heterochromatin-enriched scaffolds and contigs. In Release 6, we mapped two distinct crystal/Su(Ste) repeat regions with different molecular organizations. Beyond the ordered, tandem "classical" region, we identified a novel, disorganized region containing sequence fragments in both orientations derived from both crystal/Su(Ste) repeats and transposable elements. This disorganized locus displays structural features of a piRNA cluster that regulates both Stellate repeats and transposons. Furthermore, we identified at least four additional loci with organized crystal/Su(Ste)-like repeats within heterochromatin-enriched sequences not included in Release 6. We also conducted a detailed examination of the complex relationship between Release 6 sequences and more recent scaffolds and contigs. Alongside the classic crystal/Su(Ste) repeat containing hoppel/1360 fragments, we discovered two new repeat types structurally organized like crystal/Su(Ste) but carrying portions of HetA and gypsy12 transposons. Overall, these findings provide structural insights into the crystal-Stellate system, refining the Drosophila melanogaster Y chromosome map.

Understanding how environmental variability structures essential fish habitat (EFH) is central to managing keystone populations in dynamic marine ecosystems. Using nearly three decades of standardized survey data (1994-2021) from the Adriatic Sea, we present the first basin-scale, process-based framework linking estimated habitat suitability and abundance for the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus. Maximum entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution models were coupled with quantile generalized additive models (QGAMs) to quantify spatiotemporal dynamics of EFH and identify environmental thresholds that regulate population expansion and contraction. Predicted habitat suitability was primarily driven by variation in bottom temperature and biotic interactions, with persistent core areas along the northern and central shelves. Quantile analyses revealed asymmetric abundance responses to environmental gradients, indicating stronger constraints under unfavorable hydrographic regimes. This integrative approach bridges potential habitat and population dynamics, offering transferable tools for climate-ready, ecosystem-based fisheries management.

Can language be a valuable predictor of genetic diversity even at the level of extremely circumscribed areas of linguistic diversity? We report on the analysis of mtDNA and NRY variation extracted from the whole-genome sequencing of 27 natives of Grecìa Salentina, a geographic area in southern Italy home to a historic Greek-speaking community. With respect to mtDNA, we found similarities with samples from Central Italy and Eastern Balkan, mainly because of the high haplogroups N, K and J1 frequencies. Detailed phylogeographic analyses of these haplogroups reveal instances of Grecìa Salentina-specific lineages. With respect to the NRY, we find similarities with other samples from southern Italy, Anatolia and the Middle East, because of the overwhelming frequency of haplogroup J2a. The new J2a lineages, many of which are specific to Grecìa Salentina, greatly expand the phylogeny of the haplogroup. Haplogroup R1a is also overrepresented, with a new lineage belonging to the GML6 subclade, which is common in the Western Balkans. All the above haplogroups were long recognized as markers of post-Neolithic East-to-West movements through the Balkan Peninsula by land or off its coasts by sea. We conclude that the peculiar component detected in the Grecìa Salentina gene pool is the result of past immigration. Specifically, there was a demic contribution of both sexes, which foreshadows the build-up of an entire community, and subsequent dilution in the surrounding gene pool by admixture occurred only to a limited extent. These results add a genomic dimension to our knowledge of the identity of the Greek-speaking community settled in Grecìa Salentina. To date, the peculiarity of the Grecìa Salentina population was only its linguistic identity, but we now show that it is also supported by a genetic component. The more general hypothesis of a connection between the demic and linguistic structure of the area can now be tested by comparing the genetics of Grecìa Salentina to those of other linguistic enclaves of Balkan origin in southern Italy.

The ecological stability of Mediterranean marine ecosystems is increasingly threatened by invasive alien species (IAS). This study examines the invasion dynamics of Callinectes sapidus, a high-risk and readily identifiable IAS across the Adriatic, Ionian, and Central Mediterranean subregions. A comprehensive dataset of published scientific and local ecological knowledge (LEK) records was compiled to analyze spatial and temporal patterns of diffusion. An increase in reported occurrences was found across the entire study area, spreading from south to north. Heterogeneous sampling methods hinder direct comparisons across regions, underscoring the need for standardized reporting protocols. LEK supported the clarification of overall patterns of C. sapidus diffusion and enhanced the resolution of temporal and spatial distribution data. The temporal progression of the invasion aligns with phases of arrival, establishment, and expansion. A close association was observed with both research effort and rising sea surface temperatures (SST). This study highlights the importance of integrating climate data and community-based knowledge in IAS monitoring and demonstrates a methodology for assessing climate-linked biological invasions in marine environments.

Phytoplankton communities play a crucial role in the sustainability of mariculture practices, particularly regarding the risks associated with potentially harmful species that can cause algal blooms and toxin production. These harmful species can have devastating effects, not only threatening human health and safety through the contamination of seafood and water supplies but also disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Monitoring phytoplankton levels and composition is essential to ensure that mariculture remains environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and safe for consumers. Ultimately, this contributes to the preservation of marine biodiversity and its long-term health. Traditional methods for phytoplankton identification are often labor-intensive and may fail to capture the full diversity of these organisms. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is emerging as an innovative tool that offers a more comprehensive assessment of phytoplankton biodiversity, although it does not yet provide a strictly quantitative measure. In our research, we employed eDNA metabarcoding to analyze eukaryotic phytoplankton community composition, both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, along a mariculture facility located in the Mediterranean Sea. From a quantitative perspective, we evaluated whether the number of sequences obtained for each OTU could serve as an indicator of the relative abundance of each taxonomic group across different sites. We considered five sampling sites around and at the center of the mariculture facility and conducted eDNA metabarcoding analyses with three replicates per site. Statistical analysis revealed that the number of sequences per OTU were significantly consistent among replicates. This suggests that the number of sequences can be used as a proxy concerning the relative abundance of taxonomic groups across sampling sites. Consequently, this research opens the possibility of using eDNA metabarcoding as a semi-quantitative tool. From a qualitative perspective, we were able to characterize the structure of eukaryotic phytoplankton communities around the mariculture plant, detecting a high level of biodiversity. We also identified potentially dangerous species at low abundance, highlighting the potential of eDNA metabarcoding as an early warning system, an essential aspect for ensuring sustainability in mariculture. This study represents a pioneering effort in utilizing eDNA metabarcoding for both the semi-quantitative and qualitative monitoring of eukaryotic phytoplankton in mariculture supporting eco-sustainable management practices.

Freshwater fisheries ecology encompasses the intricate interactions among fish species, their aquatic habitats, and human activities [...]

The intricate and multifaceted relationship between environmental pollutants, particularly heavy metals such as cadmium, and human health has been extensively documented, with a significant focus on their neurotoxic effects. Notably, the connection between cadmium exposure and Alzheimer’s disease is becoming increasingly evident, prompting a deeper investigation into the underlying mechanisms at play. Despite the growing body of evidence linking cadmium to neurodegeneration and although harmful molecular activities of cadmium in cells have been demonstrated, the precise molecular mechanism induced by this toxic metal within neuronal cells remains largely enigmatic. This study aims to shed light on these mechanistic processes by utilizing Drosophila melanogaster, a widely recognized model organism in neurogenetics, as our experimental framework. Through a carefully designed approach, we simulated chronic exposure to cadmium, which allowed us to observe the resulting effects on the flies over time. Our findings revealed that chronic cadmium exposure led to premature aging in flies, characterized by neurodegeneration and an exacerbation of complex neurological phenotypes. Notably, these included significant impairments in learning and memory, which are critical cognitive functions often compromised in neurodegenerative conditions. With the aim of exploring the mechanistic underpinnings of these observations, we determined that cadmium impairs RNP formation and could disrupt the delicate process of liquid–liquid phase separation within neuronal cells. This disruption appears to play a pivotal role in initiating the cascade of events that contribute to neurodegeneration. Liquid–liquid phase separation is essential for the proper organization of cellular components and the maintenance of neuronal health; thus, cadmium’s interference in this process may provide a crucial insight into its neurotoxic effects.

Transitional waters are important habitats both for biodiversity and ecological functions, providing valuable natural resources and relevant ecosystem services. However, they are highly susceptible to climate changes and anthropogenic pressures responsible for biodiversity losses and require specific biomonitoring programs. Benthic macroinvertebrates are suitable as ecological indicators of transitional waters, being affected by biological, chemical, and physical conditions of the ecosystems about their life cycles and space-use behaviour. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has allowed biodiversity investigations, at the molecular level, in multiple ecosystems and for different ecological guilds. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities' composition has been investigated, at the molecular level, mainly through DNA extracted from sediments in marine and riverine ecosystems. In this work, benthic macroinvertebrate communities are explored through eDNA metabarcoding from water samples in a Mediterranean transitional water ecosystem. This research highlighted the validity of eDNA metabarcoding as an efficient tool for the assessment of benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in transitional waters, unveiling the spatial heterogeneity of benthic macroinvertebrate communities correlated to the measured environmental gradients. The results suggest that peculiar features of transitional water ecosystems, such as shallow waters and limited currents, facilitate the assessment of benthic macroinvertebrate communities through environmental DNA analysis from surface water samples, opening for more rapid and accurate monitoring programs for these valuable ecosystems.

Aquatic biodiversity includes a variety of unique species, their habitats, and their interactions with each other. Albania has a large hydrographic network including rivers, lakes, wetlands and coastal marine areas, contributing to a high level of aquatic biodiversity. Currently, evaluating aquatic biodiversity relies on morphological species identification methods, but DNA-based taxonomic identification could improve the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystems. This study aims to evaluate the coverage of COI DNA barcodes in the reference libraries for the known aquatic animal species present in the coastal lagoons of Albania. In this study, the six most studied coastal lagoons of Albania were selected. Species data were gathered from the scientific literature and publicly available sites and studies. The collected species lists were taxonomically standardised using global public taxonomic databases like WORMS. The standardised lists were used to analyse the barcode gap of COI based on two public DNA barcode libraries: Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) and NCBI GenBank. The results show that the COI DNA barcode gap in the coastal lagoons of Albania ranges from 7% (Lagoon of Patok) to 33% (Karavasta Lagoon). Fishes and Amphibia represent the groups with the lowest barcode gap (8% each), while Annelida shows the highest (47%). In conclusion, the COI gene marker for DNA-based biodiversity assessments is reliable for the coastal lagoons of Albania.

Non-indigenous species (NIS) introduction notoriously threatens the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, Mediterranean coastal lagoons play a crucial role as nurseries for marine species, which new NIS arrivals can threaten. Therefore, monitoring and early warning of NIS presence is essential in preserving biodiversity. An innovative technique for rapid and accurate species identification and biodiversity screening is the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. In this research, different Penaeidae (Arthropoda, Crustacea, Decapoda) NIS specimens were collected from a Mediterranean coastal lagoon after an early warning about a potentially invasive NIS arising from next-generation sequencing data. DNA barcoding of the DNA extracted from tissue samples and amplified with specifically designed primer pairs led to the recognition of Penaeus aztecus in this NATURA 2000 protected ecosystem for the first time. DNA barcoding from DNA isolated from the water where the living specimens were stored further validated the possibility of identifying P. aztecus starting from eDNA. This approach demonstrated the validity of environmental DNA analysis in the early screening of potentially invasive NIS presence in Mediterranean protected areas and ecosystems. This work describes an applicative example of the efficacy in improving the biomonitoring of lagoon ecosystems using molecular tools and it represents a guideline for the validation of eDNA metabarcoding data for the presence of potentially invasive species.

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biodegradable bio-based polymer synthesized by microorganisms under unfavorable conditions from agro-industrial residues as a source of carbon. These aspects make the bio-based polymer attractive for the mass production of biodegradable plastics, and a definitive replacement for petroleum-based plastics. The aim of this work was to characterize the putative PHB-producing bacterium 1B isolated from the argan soil, to identify the polymer produced, and quantify the PHB production using argan seeds waste. DNA extraction, PCR, and Sanger sequencing were conducted for the molecular identification of strain 1B; the residual biomass and the PHB quantification were measured and compared in the presence of simple sugars and pretreated argan seeds waste. The 1B growth and PHB synthesis were optimized by selecting physical and nutritional parameters: temperature, incubation time, pH, NaCl concentration, and nitrogen sources concentrations. A preliminary characterization of the bio-based polymer extracted was conducted by UV-Visible spectrophotometry and FTIR analysis. The strain 1B was identified as belonging to the genus Sphingomonas. The PHB final yield was higher in a growth culture enriched with argan waste (3.06%) than with simple sugars. The selected conditions for the bacterial optimal growth incremented the PHB final yield to 6.13%, while the increase in the argan residue concentration from 1 to 3% in a larger culture volume led to the PHB final yield of 8.16%. UV-Visible spectrophotometry of the extracted sample reported a remarkable peak at 248 nm, as well as FTIR spectra analysis, showed peaks at 1728 and 1282 wavenumber/cm. Both preliminary characterizations demonstrated that the extracted sample is the bio-based polymer polyhydroxybutyrate. The results reported in this work reveal how the costless available argan seeds can be used for polyhydroxybutyrate production using a novel Sphingomonas species.

The aim of this work was to study the valorization of argan seed pulp, a waste material obtained from argan oil extraction, for the biosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). A new species that showed the metabolic capacity for the conversion of argan waste into the bio-based polymer was isolated from an argan crop located in Teroudant, a southwestern region of Morocco, where the arid soil is exploited for goat grazing. The PHB accumulation efficiency of this new species was compared to the previously identified species 1B belonging to the genus Sphingomonas, and results were reported as dry cell weight residual biomass and PHB final yield measured. Temperature, incubation time, pH, NaCl concentration, nitrogen sources, residue concentrations, and culture medium volumes were analyzed with the aim of obtaining a maximum accumulation of PHB. UV-visible spectrophotometry and FTIR analysis confirmed that PHB was present in the material extracted from the bacterial culture. The results of this wide investigation indicated that the new isolated species 2D1 had a higher efficiency in PHB production compared to the previously identified strain 1B, which was isolated from a contaminated argan soil in Teroudant. PHB final yield of the two bacterial species, i.e., the new isolated and 1B, cultivated under optimal culture conditions, in 500 mL MSM enriched with 3% argan waste, were 21.40% (5.91 ± 0.16 g/L) and 8.16% (1.92 ± 0.23 g/L), respectively. For the new isolated strain, the result of the UV-visible spectrum indicates the absorbance at 248 nm, while the FTIR spectrum showed peaks at 1726 cm−1 and 1270 cm−1: these characteristic peaks indicated the presence of PHB in the extract. The data from the species 1B UV-visible and FTIR spectra were previously reported and were used in this study for a correlation analysis. Furthermore, additional peaks, uncharacteristic of standard PHB, suggest the presence of impurities (e.g., cell debris, solvent residues, biomass residues) that persisted after extraction. Therefore, a further enhancement of the sample purification during extraction is recommended for more accuracy in the chemical characterization. If 470,000 tons of argan fruit waste can be produced annually, and 3% of waste is consumed in 500 mL culture by 2D1 to produce 5.91 g/L (21.40%) of the bio-based polymer PHB, it can be estimated that the amount of putative PHB that can be extracted annually from the total argan fruit waste is about 2300 tons.

Climate changes and anthropogenic pressures are causing a biodiversity decline in terms of species number and genetic diversity, reducing the adaptability and evolvability of natural communities. Transitional water ecosystems are more sensitive to habitat reduction and degradation and, thus, are more exposed to biodiversity declines requiring biodiversity monitoring programs for their conservation. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding represents a high-throughput tool for biodiversity assessment that is facilitating data collection for biodiversity monitoring. In this study, we applied, for the first time, eDNA metabarcoding in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon to assess the ecological features of eukaryotic phytoplankton communities. We sampled water in seven different lagoon sites and amplified the extracted DNA with primers targeting the variable region 4 (V4) of the 18S rRNA gene marker. The results demonstrated the validity of eDNA studies to provide insights into lagoon phytoplankton composition, establish the structure and spatial variation of phytoplankton communities, and evaluate its correlation to abiotic factors. Finally, the genetic distances analysis suggests that the different spatial distribution of OTUs, at least for the Tetraselmis genus, reflects the genetic background.

In order to halt the loss of global biodiversity and considering the United Nations Decade for Ocean Conservation Agenda, increasing efforts to improve biomonitoring programs and assessment of ecosystem health are needed. Aquatic environments are among the most complex to monitor, requiring an array of tools to assess their status and to define conservation targets. Although several parameters need to be considered for a comprehensive ecological status assessment, it is important to identify easy-to-apply high-resolution monitoring methods. Shifts in fish composition and abundance are often good indicators of ecosystem health status in relation to anthropogenic activities. However, traditional monitoring methods are strictly related to the habitat under study and cannot be applied universally. This review summarizes the importance of ecological indicators for aquatic environments subjected to anthropogenic stressors, with a particular focus on fish communities and transitional water ecosystems. We describe the main characteristics of both traditional and novel methods for fish monitoring, highlighting their advantages and shortcomings in an attempt to identify simple and reliable ways for a correct evaluation of the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems.

Fragile X syndrome is a neuro-developmental disease affecting intellectual abilities and social interactions. Drosophila melanogaster represents a consolidated model to study neuronal pathways underlying this syndrome, especially because the model recapitulates complex behavioural phenotypes. Drosophila Fragile X protein, or FMRP, is required for a normal neuronal structure and for correct synaptic differentiation in both the peripheral and central nervous systems, as well as for synaptic connectivity during development of the neuronal circuits. At the molecular level, FMRP has a crucial role in RNA homeostasis, including a role in transposon RNA regulation in the gonads of D. m. Transposons are repetitive sequences regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels to avoid genomic instability. De-regulation of transposons in the brain in response to chromatin relaxation has previously been related to neurodegenerative events in Drosophila models. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that FMRP is required for transposon silencing in larval and adult brains of Drosophila "loss of function" dFmr1 mutants. This study highlights that flies kept in isolation, defined as asocial conditions, experience activation of transposable elements. In all, these results suggest a role for transposons in the pathogenesis of certain neurological alterations in Fragile X as well as in abnormal social behaviors.

The implementation of DNA metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) to the biodiversity assessment and biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems has great potential worldwide. However, DNA metabarcoding and eDNA are highly reliant on the coverage of the DNA barcode reference libraries that are currently hindered by the substantial lack of reference sequences. The main objective of this study was to analyze the current coverage of DNA barcode reference libraries for phytoplankton species of the aquatic Mediterranean ecoregion in the southeast of Italy (Apulia Region) in order to assess the applicability of DNA metabarcoding and eDNA in this area. To do so, we investigated three main DNA barcode reference libraries, BOLD Systems, GenBank and SILVA, for the availability of DNA barcodes of the examined phytoplankton species. The gap analysis was conducted for three molecular gene markers, 18S, 16S and COI. The results showed a considerable lack of barcodes for all three markers. However, among the three markers, 18S had a greater coverage in the reference libraries. For the 18S gene marker, the barcode coverage gap across the three types of ecosystems examined was 32.21–39.68%, 60.12–65.19% for the 16S marker gene, and 72.44–80.61 for the COI marker gene. Afterwards, the interspecific genetic distance examined on the most represented molecular marker, 18S, was able to distinguish 80% of the species mined for lakes and 70% for both marine and transitional waters. Conclusively, this work highlights the importance of filling the gaps in the reference libraries, and constitutes the basis towards the advancement of DNA metabarcoding and eDNA application for biodiversity assessment and biomonitoring.

Coastal lagoons are considered important habitats both for ecological functions and biodiversity worldwide. Thus, they provide relevant ecosystem services and valuable natural resources. However, coastal lagoons are highly susceptible to anthropogenic pressures that can cause biodiversity losses and require specific biomonitoring programs as well as management measures. In this research, we applied environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to investigate the biodiversity of a poorly known Mediterranean lagoon included in the European Natura 2000 Network. We used the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene marker to capture the entire biodiversity of this highly diversified aquatic coastal environment. With a low sampling effort and rapid laboratory practices, a large amount of valuable biodiversity data was generated and analyzed. Interestingly, this straightforward and broad molecular surveying of biodiversity unveiled a wide variety of taxonomic groups, such as benthic macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and macroalgae, which are frequently used as ecological indicators. We were able to detect species that were previously morphologically identified, as well as species never identified before. This research underlines the validity of eDNA metabarcoding in assessing the biodiversity in a poorly known and protected Mediterranean lagoon ecosystem, as well as in identifying the early warnings of environmental stressors. Finally, the research highlights the need to investigate multiple target genes and primers set for a larger analysis of specific species.