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Reptiles: success for the first field mission for the MERCI project
Continue readingIsland of Saint Lucia, November 2021. Among the branches, a furtive movement betrays the fear of a lizard that has just been spotted, not by a predator, but by a scientist. Over the last few days, a team from the MERCI project, aimed at studying invasive reptiles of the Lesser Antilles, has been on the field for its first…
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PROSPOVERG project: a meticulous monitoring of birds and mammals in Guadeloupe
Continue readingIn the Guadeloupe forest of Poyen, a biological reserve located on the island of Grande-Terre, the PROSPOVERG project led by the association Amazona in partnership with Caribaea Initiative keeps going thanks to the financial support of the OFB. The objective is not only to identify the diversity of birds and mammals, but also to train students in the use…
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Life and habits of the Limia: Feeding strategies of a unique group of fish
A few months after the discovery of a new species of Limia in Haiti, the research continues on this fascinating group of fish. This time, the feeding strategies of several species were investigated, leading to results which could help unravelling the secrets behind the diversity of this group. Continue reading
Launch of the REVPOL project in favour of urban pollinators
Continue readingThe Caribbean islands are currently considered as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots, but also as one of the most threatened in the world. Among the many declining species, pollinators and the endemic plants associated with them face a very particular threat: that of exotic plants, which can become invasive.
Many exotic flowers have been deliberately introduced into the…
Mangrove crabs and bacteria: a symbiosis on the gills
Continue readingIn the Caribbean, mangroves constitute unique coastal ecosystems harbouring a diverse marine and terrestrial fauna. Some of these animals establish symbiotic associations with bacteria, such as molluscs, nematodes or even jellyfish. Recent findings in other mangroves around the world suggest that such associations may also be found in some crustaceans. A fact that was just confirmed in a new…
Wildlife of the Caribbean: A major world biodiversity hotspot in need of more local research capacity
Continue readingThe insular Caribbean is considered as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world, home to many endemic species. While new endemic plant and animal species are still discovered regularly, many are already vulnerable or even threatened with extinction because of various threats, such as habitat loss, climate change or biological invasions. Strong research on Caribbean biodiversity…
Caribaea Initiative gets support from the Caribbean program Interreg for its project about invasive reptiles
A success with a taste of victory for the association, accompanied by a great challenge to come. The MERCI project (Managing Exotic Reptiles on Caribbean Islands), led by Caribaea Initiative, was selected by the Caribbean program Interreg for a FEDER (European regional development fund) grant of € 403,628. Continue reading
Overfishing and regulation: How to determine the sexual maturity of lobsters?
Continue readingFishing of Caribbean spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) generates close to one billion dollars each year. Such intensive exploitation can pose a threat to the species. Appropriate fishing regulations, especially at the local level, are therefore of prime importance in preserving populations. The implementation of these measures requires a good knowledge of the biology of the species, including knowing how…
Is there any pigeon out there? On the importance of counting techniques to estimate bird populations
Continue readingDetecting birds in their environment in a reliable way is essential to estimate their abundance, to understand their geographical distribution and their habitat preferences, or to develop relevant conservation actions. Although several methods exist, their efficiencies differ, as demonstrated by a new study during which the presence and abundance of two species of wild pigeons of patrimonial and hunting…
In Haiti, small urban green spaces provide refuges for birds
Continue readingThe insular Caribbean is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on the planet. In the center of the region, Haiti is home to 270 bird species, including several species endemic to Hispaniola. Despite this amazing natural heritage, Haiti also stands out as one of the most deforested countries in the world, and the most densely populated in Latin…
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