Unravelling the environmental correlates influencing the seasonal biodiversity of aquatic Heteropteran assemblages in northern Africa

Heteropteran communities form a key component of aquatic ecosystems but have not been widely studied compared to other freshwater faunal groups. This research examined the environmental parameters influencing diversity, seasonal distribution and structure Heteroptera assemblages in Mediterranean region Tunisia, northern Africa. Heteropterans were most abundant during spring summer, coinciding with emergence several species favorable conditions for benthic fauna. Three-way multivariate analyses (combining community composition data from all sites seasons) highlighted longitudinal spatial organization communities. Headwater regions dominated by halophobic sensitive taxa, lowland characterized high salinity resistant taxa (halophilic taxa). The was driven gradients mineralization (salinity electrical conductivity) oxygen (DO, COD BOD) concentrations. Taxonomic differed between river catchments, significantly higher diversity (taxa richness) streams adjacent riparian forest cover. These presence endemic species, such as Velia africana eckerleini, rare Notonecta meridionalis, Aquarius najas. Results recorded highlight importance vegetation water quality driving variability Heteropterans, provide important information inform management conservation biodiversity Northern