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In Guadeloupe, an ecosystem rehabilitated after the invasion of exotic turtles
The abundant biodiversity of the Caribbean, rich and unique in the world, is under numerous threats. As with all island systems, invasive alien species are a major problem. Originating from other territories, these animals or plants are introduced voluntarily or by accident, and disrupt local ecosystems through competition, predation, or via their pathogens.
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New data on a bird endemic to the Lesser Antilles: the Forest thrush
The Forest thrush, Turdus lherminieri, is an endemic bird of the Lesser Antilles. This species, which harbours a distinctive plumage and sings melodious song, feeds on the ground, searching the litter with its beak for insects and other invertebrates. Already rare, as it is found only on four islands in the Caribbean, the species is […]
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Threatened pigeons: a study reveals what really matters for their risk of extinction
Biodiversity loss is one of the greatest challenges facing our planet today. While the importance of populations decline or their extinction risk vary greatly between species and territories, understanding the factors that influence both parameters is essential to directing conservation efforts effectively.
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Voodoo Practices and Traditions: Implications for Turtle Conservation in Haiti
Freshwater turtles are among the most endangered species in the world. In Haiti, a recent study focused on a particular threat to the local species Trachemys decorata: its exploitation for a wide variety of uses linked to the socio-cultural context of the region.
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Cuban anoles are not equal in the face of climate change
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges that the natural world is currently facing. Its impacts are expected to affect many aspects of biodiversity. Among other things, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can affect the availability of suitable habitat for many species, and their ability to disperse and colonize new areas may be […]
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Improving collaboration thanks to Dominican lizards
The MERCI project is a research program aiming at improving the knowledge on several species of invasive exotic reptiles in the Lesser Antilles. Another ambition of the project is to reinforce the collaboration between the different territories. The last mission, which took place in Dominica, shows that both objectives are successful!
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Increasing knowledge about game bird species in the French West Indies for an adapted management
In the French West Indies, as elsewhere, hunting is a widespread activity that leads to excess mortality in game species populations, justifying the implementation of management measures (quotas, hunting season, etc.) aimed at sustaining both the hunting activity and the viability of the bird populations concerned. In Guadeloupe and Martinique, however, hunting management is complicated […]
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Behaviour: lizards in urban environments differ from those in forests
In Cuba as elsewhere, urbanization is increasing, affecting many animal species. In a recently published study, researchers studied the behaviour of an endemic species of the island, the lizard Anolis homolechis, by comparing forests and suburban populations.
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Natural vs sexual selection: Why do some Limia vittata fish harbour black spots while others do not?
In Cuba, the species Limia vittata is widespread. This fish that is endemic of the island presents a color polymorphism: some individuals have black spots on their body, while others do not. To understand the origin of this variability in appearance, researchers have tested two hypotheses: natural selection and sexual selection.
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Three complementary methods for monitoring wild birds: results of the PROSPOVERG project
The PROSPOVERG project came to an end, along with two years of close monitoring for the fauna of the Poyen forest, in Guadeloupe. The birds in particular were monitored using three different methods, with a triple objective: to better understand the biodiversity of this forest, to assess the effectiveness and complementarity of the different monitoring […]
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