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Across eumetazoans, the ability to perceive and respond to visual stimuli is largely mediated by opsins, a family of proteins belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superclass. Lineage-specific gains and losses led to a striking diversity in the numbers, types, and spectral sensitivities conferred by visual opsin gene expression. Here, we review the diversity of visual opsins and differences in opsin gene expression from well-studied protostome, invertebrate deuterostome, and cnidarian groups. We discuss the functional significance of opsin expression differences and spectral tuning among lineages. In some cases, opsin evolution has been linked to the detection of relevant visual signals, including sexually selected color traits and host plant features. In other instances, variation in opsins has not been directly linked to functional or ecological differences. Overall, the array of opsin expression patterns and sensitivities across invertebrate lineages highlight the diversity of opsins in the eumetazoan ancestor and the labile nature of opsins over evolutionary time. • Invertebrates display a dramatic diversity of visual opsins. • Lineage-specific gains and losses led to this striking diversity in opsins. • Opsin diversification facilitates the detection of distinct visual signals. • The behavioral and ecological impacts of some changes in opsins are not understood. • This diversity highlights the labile nature of opsins throughout evolutionary time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As invertebrates, shrimp are generally thought to solely rely on their innate immune system to combat invading pathogens. Recently, an increasing number of studies have revealed that the innate immune response of invertebrates exhibits diversity and specificity based on their diverse immune molecules. Herein, a full-length transcriptome analysis of several immune-related tissues (hepatopancreas, gill, hemocytes, stomach and intestine) in the kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) was conducted to identify immune-related molecules with a focus on transcript variations. In total, 11,222 nonredundant full-length transcripts with an N50 length of 5174 were obtained, and most of these transcripts (94.84%) were successfully annotated. In addition, a total of 147 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were also predicted. Importantly, transcript variants of several vital immune-related genes were observed, including twenty-five alpha-2-macroglobulins (α2-Ms), ten Toll-like receptors (TLRs), six C-type lectins (CTLs), five M-type lectins (MTLs) and three Down syndrome cell adhesion molecules (Dscams). Furthermore, 509 nonredundant full-length transcripts were predicted to be generated from alternative splicing (AS) events, which contribute to the diversity of immune molecules. Overall, our study provides valuable data on the full-length transcripts of M. japonicus , which will facilitate the exploration of immune molecules in this species. Moreover, numerous transcript variants of immune molecules detected in this study provide clues for further investigating the diversity and specificity of the innate immune response in shrimp. • Full-length transcriptome analysis of immune-related tissues in Marsupenaeus japonicus was conducted. • 11,222 full-length transcripts enrich the transcriptomic information of M. japonicus. • Numerous transcript variations of immune molecules provide new insights into the innate immune system of shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to reduce carbon emissions have seen a growth in renewable energy developments globally. "Green" alternatives also have impacts for biodiversity, but few studies assess the effects of solar energy facilities on invertebrate communities. We investigated effects of a concentrated solar power (CSP) trough facility on invertebrate communities in the arid Northern Cape province of South Africa. Epigaeic and flying invertebrates were sampled using pitfall and sticky traps in three habitats: solar field, power block and surrounding rangeland. There were no significant differences in abundance or order richness in either epigaeic or flying invertebrate communities across the three habitats. Shannon diversity was significantly lower in rangeland plots for epigaeic invertebrates, and significantly greater in solar field for flying invertebrates. Despite the lack of significant differences in order richness or abundance, community composition of both invertebrate groups differed significantly between habitats, but the two habitats within the plant only differed for epigaeic invertebrate assemblages. Differences in invertebrate densities and composition demonstrate an effect of construction of the facility on invertebrate communities. While facilities may have relatively small footprints, the rate at which the industry is expanding internationally suggests that further research on impacts and mitigation measures is needed. • First study on the effects of a utility-scale concentrated solar power trough facility on invertebrates. • There was a significant difference in community composition of both epigaeic and flying invertebrates between the solar facility and surrounding rangeland. • The results highlights the need for more research into not only impacts, but trophic cascades and mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Alpine scorpions are highly diverse both at the chromosomal and genetic level. • Ten deeply divergent lineages with discrete geographical distributions were found. • The diversification events took place during the Plio-Pleistocene. • Macrostructural chromosomal changes accompanied the diversification process. Abstract Over time, mountain biota has undergone complex evolutionary histories that have left imprints on its genomic arrangement, geographical distribution and diversity of contemporary lineages. Knowledge on these biogeographical aspects still lags behind for invertebrates inhabiting the Alpine region. In the present study, we examined three scorpion species of the subgenus Euscorpius (Alpiscorpius) from the European Alps using cytogenetic and molecular phylogenetic approaches to determine the variation and population structure of extant lineages at both chromosome and genetic level, and to provide an insight into the species diversification histories. We detected considerable intraspecific variability in chromosome complements and localization of the 18S rDNA loci in all studied species. Such chromosome differences were noticeable as the existence of three [in E. (A.) alpha and E. (A.) germanus ] or four [in E. (A.) gamma ] range-restricted karyotypic races. These races differed from one another either by 2n [in E. (A.) alpha 2n = 54, 60, 90; in E. (A.) gamma 2n = 58, 60, 88, 86–92], or by the karyotypic formula [in E. (A.) germanus 2n = 34m + 12sm; 36m + 10sm; 42m + 4sm]. Using mitochondrial (16S rRNA, COI) and nuclear (28S rDNA) genetic markers, we examined genetic variation and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships among the karyotypic races. Both approaches provided evidence for the existence of ten deeply divergent lineages exhibiting the features of local endemics and indicating the presence of cryptic species. Molecular dating analyses suggest that these lineages diversified during the Plio-Pleistocene and this process was presumably accompanied by dynamic structural changes in the genome organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have greatly improved water quality globally. However, treated effluents still contain a complex cocktail of pollutants whose environmental effects might go unnoticed, masked by additional stressors in the receiving waters or by spatiotemporal variability. We conducted a BACI (Before-After/Control-Impact) ecosystem manipulation experiment, where we diverted part of the effluent of a large tertiary WWTP into a small, unpolluted stream to assess the effects of a well-treated and highly diluted effluent on riverine diversity and food web dynamics. We sampled basal food resources, benthic invertebrates and fish to search for changes on the structure and energy transfer of the food web with the effluent. Although effluent toxicity was low, it reduced diversity, increased primary production and herbivory, and reduced energy fluxes associated to terrestrial inputs. Altogether, the effluent decreased total energy fluxes in stream food webs, showing that treated wastewater can lead to important ecosystem-level changes, affecting the structure and functioning of stream communities even at high dilution rates. The present study shows that current procedures to treat wastewater can still affect freshwater ecosystems and highlights the need for further efforts to treat polluted waters to conserve aquatic food webs. [Display omitted] • Well-treated and diluted effluent reduced invertebrate diversity. • Primary production and herbivory increased with the effluent. • Effluent toxicity was low, but it decreased total energy fluxes in stream food webs. • Even at high dilution rates, effluents can induce important ecosystem-level changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative roles of ecological niche conservatism versus niche divergence in promoting montane speciation remains an important topic in biogeography. Here, our aim was to test whether lineage diversification in a species complex of trapdoor spiders corresponds with riverine barriers or with an ecological gradient associated with elevational tiering. Aliatypus janus was sampled from throughout its range, with emphasis on populations in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. We collected multi-locus genetic data to generate a species tree for A. janus and its close relatives. Coalescent based hypothesis tests were conducted to determine if genetic breaks within A . janus conform to riverine barriers. Ecological niche models (ENM) under current and Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) conditions were generated and hypothesis tests of niche conservatism and divergence were performed. Coalescent analyses reveal deeply divergent genetic lineages within A . janus , likely corresponding to cryptic species. Two primary lineages meet along an elevational gradient on the western slopes of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. ENMs under both current and LGM conditions indicate that these groups occupy largely non-overlapping niches. ENM hypothesis testing rejected niche identity between the two groups, and supported a sharp ecological gradient occurring where the groups meet. However, the niche similarity test indicated that the two groups may not inhabit different background niches. The Sierra Nevada Mountains provide a natural laboratory for simultaneously testing ecological niche divergence and conservatism and their role in speciation across a diverse range of taxa. Aliatypus janus represents a species complex with cryptic lineages that may have diverged due to parapatric speciation along an ecological gradient, or been maintained by the evolution of ecological niche differences following allopatric speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The description and delimitation of species in an evolutionary framework is essential for understanding patterns of biodiversity and distribution, and in the assessment of conservation strategies for natural resources. This study seeks to clarify the evolutionary history and genetic variation within and between closely related octocoral species that are fundamental to benthic marine ecosystems for harbouring a high diversity of associated fauna. For our study system, we focused on members of the Gorgoniidae family in the Eastern Pacific, particularly of the Ecuadorian littoral, a less studied marine ecosystem. According to our results, the diagnosis of the genus Pacifigorgia is here amended to include species previously considered in the genus Leptogorgia. The genera Leptogorgia and Eugorgia are included within a single clade, and neither are recovered as monophyletic. In this case, according to the priority rule of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), our proposal is to include the species considered in these two genera in Leptogorgia. In addition, we found evidence of interesting speciation patterns: morphological differentiation with no apparent genetic differentiation (in Pacifigorgia ), and inconsistencies between mitochondrial and nuclear data that suggest a hybridisation phenomenon (in Leptogorgia ). In the first case, recent radiation, ancient hybridisation, sympatric speciation, and in the second, reticulate evolution may have contributed to the evolutionary history of the studied taxa. Therefore, incongruences observed between morphological and molecular evidences in these octocorals, and in corals in general, may reveal the types of events/patterns that have influenced their evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem engineering species, such as beavers, may help the restoration of biodiversity. Through the building of dams and lodges and altering the natural hydrology, beavers change the habitat structure and create multiple habitats that facilitate a wide variety of other organisms including terrestrial invertebrate communities. Here we study the effect of beaver reintroduction in Klosterheden in Denmark on biomass of flying invertebrates and diversity of moths. Further, aerial photos were used to assess riparian structure and productivity using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Our findings show that the presence of beavers affected flying invertebrate biomass, but that this was dependent on time of the year. Further, a strong effect of presence of beavers was found on diversity of moths. The results also show an increase in vegetation productivity and structural heterogeneity at sites with presence of beavers. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of beavers as important ecosystem engineers that affect invertebrate species composition and abundance, as well as riparian structure and productivity. [Display omitted] • Beaver activity influence the riparian zone. • Wetlands with beaver activity harbor significantly higher moth diversity. • Beaver wetlands did not exhibit a higher flying invertebrate biomass. • Beaver activity increase vegetation greenness and heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MyD88 is a universal adapter protein for the Toll-like receptor/interleukin-1 receptor (TLR/IL-1R) signaling pathway. Since invertebrates are believed to lack MyD88-independent pathways, MyD88 appears more critical in oyster TLR signaling pathway. In the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), two complete paralogues, named as CgMyD88-1 and CgMyD88-2 , have been identified. In the current study, we indicated that CgMyD88-1 and CgMyD88-2 might act synergistically to increase the efficiency of immune signaling by activating NF-κB transcription factor. However, we found that upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly (I:C)], CgMyD88-1 and CgMyD88-2 show differences in their response: CgMyD88-1 accumulated as large spots in the cytoplasm, while CgMyD88-2 assembled in the cytoplasm and in the membrane. Our results support the theory that expansion of these immune genes is associated with functional diversity. • CgMyD88-1 and CgMyD88-2 synergistically interact in CgTLR3-mediated immunity pathway. • CgMyD88-1 and CgMyD88-2 activate NF-κB transcription factor. • CgMyD88-1 and CgMyD88-2 show differential response upon LPS or poly (I:C) stimulation. • Expansion of MyD88 genes is associated with functional diversity in invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucus vesiculosus (here Fucus) is a key species on rocky shores of the Baltic Sea, providing habitat for a diverse invertebrate community. While the invertebrate species within Fucus belts and their general distribution in the Baltic Sea are well known, much less is known about variation in invertebrate abundances and in community composition on different spatial scales. With requirements to monitor the status of marine habitats and communities, knowledge on species variation across environmental gradients is increasingly important. Knowledge on the abundances of different grazer species is also needed to evaluate the effects of fauna on Fucus on different spatial scales. In this study, a large-scale field campaign in seven geographically distinct areas along the Baltic Sea coast was conducted to assess variation in Fucus -associated invertebrate communities along eutrophication gradients (areas classified as either good, moderate or poor status). In addition, local scale exposure effects on invertebrate communities were studied. Eutrophication-related variation in invertebrate communities was found, with generally lower species abundances in the good status areas compared to areas in poor or moderate status. Especially in poor status areas, Fucus hosted high abundances of gammarids and chironomids. No specific taxa clearly functioned as an indicator for the eutrophication status and Pielou's evenness was similar across studied areas. However, lower Shannon diversity and number of taxa were found in areas where the status of Fucus is poor. Furthermore, abundances of some taxa, e.g. Idotea spp. isopods and Theodoxus fluviatilis snails were lower in areas where the non-indigenous crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii has been observed. On a local scale, exposed sides of small islands had less T. fluviatilis. This study took the first step to unravel spatial patterns in Fucus -associated invertebrate fauna, and the results illustrate how different environmental and biotic drivers shape these communities both on large and local scales. • Spatial variation in Fucus -associated fauna was studied in the Baltic Sea. • Invertebrate communities varied with eutrophication and locally with exposure. • No clear indicator species or taxa for eutrophication status was found. • Shannon diversity of invertebrate fauna was lower where status of Fucus is poor. • Native invertebrates had low abundances where non-indigenous species were abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroalgae comprise a prominent part of the rocky benthos where many invertebrates develop, and are believed to be undergoing severe declines worldwide. In order to investigate how the vegetation structure (crustose, basal and canopy layers) contributes to the diversity, structure and function of benthic invertebrates, a total of 31 subtidal transects were sampled along the northeast Atlantic coast of Spain. Significant positive relationships were found between the canopy layer and faunal abundance, taxonomic diversity and functional group diversity. Canopy forming algae were also related to epiphytic invertebrates, medium size forms, colonial strategy and suspensivores. By contrast, basal algae showed negative relationships with all variables tested except for detritivores. Multivariate multiple regression analyses (DISTLM) point to crustose as well as canopy layers as the best link between seaweeds and invertebrate assemblage structure. A close relationship was found between taxonomic and functional diversities. In general, low levels of taxonomic redundancy were detected for functional groups correlated with vegetation structure. A conceptual model based on the results is proposed, describing distinct stages of invertebrate assemblages in relation to the vertical structure of vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two of the greatest threats to native biodiversity are the construction of artificial structures in natural environments and the introduction of invasive species. As the development and urbanisation of estuaries continues at an increasing rate worldwide, these environments are being simultaneously affected by these threats. This study quantifies the spread of an invasive reef-building polychaete, Ficopomatus enigmaticus, in a small, highly manipulated urban estuary in South Africa and investigates its role as an ecosystem engineer. Anthropogenic changes to the Zandvlei Estuary, including construction of a rubble weir and canalisation near the estuary mouth, construction of an extensive marina development and hardening of the banks with concrete, have facilitated the expansion of F. enigmaticus. The standing stock of F. enigmaticus increased from 13.69 t, as measured in 1986, to 50.03 t in 2012, due both to increase in the total area colonised and standing stock per m2. Since F. enigmaticus reefs support a greater biomass of infauna than adjacent sandy areas, total invertebrate biomass in the estuary is estimated to have increased from less than 0.30 t in 1942, to over 56.80 t in 2012, due mainly to hardening of banks in parts of the main estuary with concrete and construction of a marina system. A positive correlation between reef mass and infaunal biomass, density and diversity was also found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Biocrusts are multifunctional elements in deserts that have been widely studied in Australia, China, and the USA. However, biocrust research in Mexico have also increased in the last two decades. Mexico has deserts (Chihuahuan and Sonoran) and semideserts (Querétaro and Tehuacán) with particular environmental characteristics that likely have different effects on biocrust structure and function. We synthesize studies on biocrusts performed in Mexican deserts and semideserts in the last 24 years to describe their species composition, ecology, and ecosystem function, and to identify new lines of research. Biocrusts are composed by 52 genera and 148 species of algae, fungi, cyanobacteria, lichens, and mosses, some of which are new records for biocrust diversity worldwide. Biocrust composition and distribution is determined by soil properties, vegetation cover, and geological history. However, biocrusts in the Tehuacán semidesert differ in their composition from biocrusts in other Mexican and American deserts. Biocrusts have opposite effects on germination, seedling survival and growth, and on soil invertebrate diversity. Moreover, biocrusts have opposite effects on infiltration, although biocrusts increase soil stability. Biocrusts contribute to soil nutrient dynamics and may form fertility mantles that regulate soil fertility. However, grazing, rainfed agriculture, and firewood extraction alter biocrust structure and function. Even though biocrusts are essential in the Mexican deserts and semideserts, there are still information gaps in the understanding of biocrusts such as the biological conservation of biocrust species, the utility of biocrusts to restore degraded soils, and the effect of global change on the structure and function of biocrusts. • Biocrusts are composed of 200 algae, fungi, cyanobacteria, lichens, and bryophytes. • Biocrusts have opposite effects on germination and soil invertebrates. • Biocrusts have opposite effects on infiltration, although increase soil stability. • Biocrusts contribute to soil nutrient dynamics and may form fertility mantles. • Grazing, rainfed agriculture, and firewood extraction alter biocrusts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South China Sea (SCS) is an important part of the Indo-Pacific convergence zone, with high biodiversity and abundant marine resources. Traditional methods are primarily used to monitor biodiversity. However, a few studies have used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to research the assemblage structure of the SCS. This study used eDNA metabarcoding to survey the SCS assemblage and its relationship with environmental factors over a month-long time-series (August 30th to September 30th, 2020) of seawater samples from the central part of the SCS (9°–20°86′ N, 113°–118°47′ E). 32 stations were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, F) according to longitude. We collected water samples, extracted eDNA, and amplified 18S rRNA gene V4 region (18S V4), 18S rRNA gene V9 region (18S V9), and 12S rRNA gene (12S). Krona diagrams were used to show species composition. We identified 192 phytoplankton, 104 invertebrate, and 61 fish species from 18S V4, 18S V9, and 12S, respectively. Generally, the three assemblage structures exhibited an increase in species diversity with increasing longitude. Group E had the highest fish diversity. Groups F and C had the highest phytoplankton and invertebrate diversity, respectively. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that four factors (chlorophyll a , depth, salinity, and temperature) were correlated with assemblage structure. Chlorophyll a was the main environmental factor that affected fish, phytoplankton, and invertebrate assemblage structures; salinity was strongly correlated with fish and invertebrate assemblage structures; temperature was a key factor that impacted fish and invertebrate assemblage structures; and depth was strongly correlated with invertebrate assemblage structure. Our results revealed that eDNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool for improving detection rate and using multiple markers is an effective approach for monitoring biodiversity. This study provided information that can be used to enhance biodiversity protection efforts in the SCS. • eDNA metabarcoding is sensitive to reveal biodiversity in the SCS. • Multiple trophic levels were identified effectively from one eDNA sample. • eDNA abundance reflected the assemblage variations across longitude. • Environmental factors were significantly correlated with assemblage structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The succession-driven reed bed habitat hosts a unique flora and fauna including several endangered invertebrate species. Reed beds can be managed through commercial winter harvest, with implications for reed bed conservation. However, the effects of winter harvest on the invertebrate community are not well understood and vary across studies and taxonomic levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of reed harvest on invertebrate communities. Ground-dwelling and aerial invertebrates were continuously sampled for 10 weeks in the largest coherent reed bed of Scandinavia in order to assess how time since last reed harvest (0, 3, and 25-years) influences invertebrate biomass, biodiversity and community structure across taxonomic levels. Biomass was measured and all specimens were sorted to order level, and Coleoptera was even sorted to species level. The invertebrate community showed distinct compositional differences across the three reed bed ages. Furthermore, biomass of both aerial and ground-dwelling invertebrates was highest in the age-0 reed bed and lowest in the age-25 reed bed. Generally, biodiversity showed an opposite trend with the highest richness and diversity in the age-25 reed bed. We conclude that it is possible to ensure high insect biomass and diversity by creating a mosaic of reed bed of different ages through small-scale harvest in the largest coherent reed bed in Scandinavia. The youngest red beds support a high invertebrate biomass whereas the oldest reed beds support a high biodiversity. Collectively, this elevate our understanding of reed harvest and the effects it has on the invertebrate communities, and might aid in future reed bed management and restoration. [Display omitted] • Reed bed age impacted the invertebrate community composition. • Invertebrate biomass was highest in the recently managed reed bed. • Invertebrate diversity was highest in the long-term unmanaged reed bed. • Correct management can simultaneously ensure high biomass and high diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main factors causing biodiversity loss in wetlands is drainage, nevertheless, even drained areas may provide habitat for aquatic fauna in the form of drainage ditches. Assemblages in ditches are regularly disturbed by ditch maintenance, but the extent of these disturbances and mitigation possibilities are poorly documented. We conducted an experimental study in three commercially managed forest plots in eastern Estonia, aiming to find out how ditch network maintenance (DNM) affects the diversity and assemblages of aquatic macroinvertebrates in ditches and remnant pools, and whether this effect can be alleviated by constructing mitigation waterbodies. For comparison we also collected data from natural pools in three undrained forest plots. Before DNM, ditches supported greater number of higher taxa compared to remnant and natural pools and more strictly aquatic taxa, whereas natural pools in undrained plots supported more Trichoptera shredders. After DNM, the diversity in remnant pools decreased. Moreover, majority of the pools dried out, which resulted in further reduction of the richness and abundance of macroinvertebrates. In ditches the diversity dropped immediately after DNM, but recovered in two to three years. Nevertheless, plot-scale richness and abundance did not completely recover. Assemblage shift in ditches took place right after DNM and remained distinct after the four year survey period. Mitigation pools provided habitat for several taxa (especially Odonata) uncommon in other waterbodies in drained and undrained plots. Our results show that DNM in forests substantially impoverishes habitat availability and reduces the abundance and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates. We recommend retaining uncleaned sections in ditches and constructing mitigation pools as tools for supporting wetland biodiversity in drained forests. • Ditch network maintenance (DNM) regularly disturbs local communities in ditches. • One of the first studies evaluating the effect of DNM on macroinvertebrates. • Mitigation pools were constructed in conjunction with DNM. • DNM reduces habitat availability, abundance and diversity of aquatic invertebrates. • Mitigation pools add new native species but do not replace natural forest pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal habitats are used by a great variety of organisms during some or all stages of their life cycle. When assessing the link between biological communities and their environment, most studies focus on environmental gradients, whereas the comparison between multiple habitats is rarely considered. Consequently, trait-based aspects of biodiversity in and between habitats have received little attention. Here, we use the biological trait approach in addition to the more common species-based approach to examine trait and taxonomic diversity and composition of invertebrate and fish communities in different coastal habitats, common in the northern Baltic Sea. The habitats include bladderwrack (Fucus), seagrass (Zostera), rock with associated algal species (Rock), and bare sand (Sand). We found distinct differences in community diversity and composition between the habitats. For invertebrates, the sediment of the seagrass meadow had the highest taxonomic and trait richness and diversity, whereas Sand had the highest for fish. The highest dissimilarity in invertebrate community composition was between epifaunal (Rock , Fucus , Zostera Epifauna) and infaunal habitats (Sand , Zostera Infauna) on the one hand, and between vegetated (Zostera Infauna) and unvegetated sediments (Sand) on the other hand, emphasizing the major role vegetation plays in structuring communities. We demonstrate that fish community composition is distinct based on species, and to a lesser degree also distinct based on traits, in the different studied habitats. Both invertebrate and fish communities were more similar on a trait level than taxonomically among the habitats highlighting the presence of similar trait identities in the different habitats. Among the traits examined, Body size contributed most to dissimilarities among habitats for both invertebrates and fish, pointing out the ecological importance of body size for differentiating trait composition of communities. Based on our assessment of biodiversity, using the biological trait approach parallel to the taxonomic approach, we show that trait-based measures clearly provide additional information, such as key functions present in a habitat. This aspect cannot be captured by solely using taxonomic indices, which only shed light on diversity from a species identity point of view. Consequently, to include the ecological role of species, we recommend using biological traits in addition to species-based measures in the assessment of biodiversity, and especially in the management and conservation of coastal habitats, given the important ecosystem goods and services these areas provide. Image 1 • Invertebrate and fish community diversity and composition differed among habitats. • Seagrass sediments had the highest taxonomic and trait invertebrate diversity. • The highest taxonomic and trait diversity for fish was found in the Sand habitat. • Communities were more similar in terms of traits than taxonomy among habitats. • Body size contributed most to trait-based differences between habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]