IMBE – Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale

Biodiversité des grottes marines des Caraïbes : un inventaire inédit de petits crustacés et la découverte de nouvelles espèces

Borchiellini Carole — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:59:38 +0000

The largely unexplored sea caves of the Caribbean are home to a secretive and as yet little-understood fauna, which researchers are only just beginning to uncover.

A new article published in ZooKeys, co-signed by Karl Wittmann and Pierre Chevaldonné (IMBE, CNRS, NEMO team), highlights this unexpected richness.

Based on samples taken during the mission TRIVIA-2 In the Lesser Antilles, supplemented by further sampling and the study of museum collections, researchers have identified 27 species of mysidaceans, small crustaceans similar to prawns.

Some of these species live exclusively in these underground habitats, whilst others are simply associated with them. The study combines morphological observations and genetic analyses to gain a better understanding of the relationships between these species and to refine their classification.

A number of significant discoveries are presented, including the description of new species and even the creation of a new genus. This research has also made it possible to extend the range of certain species, which are now found in the Caribbean.

By bringing together data from fieldwork, collections and the literature, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the mysidaceans found in the region’s sea caves. It constitutes a a valuable resource for better understanding and preserving these unassuming yet exceptionally rich ecosystems.

A écouter : Alerte aux fourmis envahissantes en France, quels dangers pour l’homme et la faune ?

Borchiellini Carole — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:58:51 +0000

Olivier Blight, a lecturer and researcher at IMBE, has sounded the alarm over the spread of the electric ant in the Var

La Wasmannia auropunctata, nicknamed the «electric ant» because of the intensity of its sting, is one of the world’s most worrying invasive species. In a podcast broadcast on 23 June 2026 on Radio France, on the programme The Earth Squared, Olivier Blight reports that a third outbreak was detected in spring 2026 in Cavalaire-sur-Mer, in the Var.

Native to South America, this tiny ant delivers a very painful sting and poses a serious threat to biodiversity by eliminating local insects and species. Difficult to eradicate as it hides everywhere, it is the subject of an active campaign to control it: insecticides, drones and mapping of affected areas.

Scientists believe that eradication remains possible on areas of less than 10 hectares, but becomes very complex beyond that. Its introduction is often linked to the horticultural trade.

Another invasive species, the Asian fire ant, has also been detected in the region and poses a risk to human health.

In the face of these growing threats, vigilance remains essential. To better understand the scale of the phenomenon and the issues it raises, Four podcasts broadcast in 2024 are still available to listen to.

LA STATION MARINE D’ENDOUME, 150 ans d’héritage naturaliste au service des grands défis environnementaux du XXIe siècle

Borchiellini Carole — Wed, 1 July 2026 07:50:56 +0000

The Endoume Marine Station as told by Thierry Pérez

Situated on the Marseille seafront, the Endoume Marine Station is an iconic site in the research into marine ecology for over 150 years. Founded in the late 19th century, it has played a part in the major advances in oceanography, from the earliest naturalist studies to the most modern scientific approaches.

Now part of the Pythéas University Scientific Unit (OSU), it is home to cutting-edge research teams studying the marine biodiversitythe functioning of ecosystems and impacts of global change. Thanks to advanced technical resources and a strong culture of fieldwork, scientists there explore both the Mediterranean Sea and the world’s oceans.

Situated at the crossroads of fundamental research and societal challenges, the Endoume Marine Station plays an active role in the conservation of marine environments and our understanding of the major environmental challenges of the 21st century.

👉 Pop into your local bookshop to read the article by Thierry Pérez in the journal Marseille and delve into 150 years of history and the current challenges facing marine ecology.

Offre de thèse : Associer ingénierie civile et écologique pour restaurer le sol et la végétation d’une pelouse méditerranéenne sub-steppique après exploitation d’une carrière alluvionnaire

Borchiellini Carole — Wed, 1 July 2026 06:46:18 +0000

CIFRE PhD position – Restoration ecology (Avignon / Crau)

Join an innovative research project led by the IMBE and the Société des Carrières de la Ménudelle, aimed at restoring soil and Mediterranean vegetation following quarrying. This thesis will explore practical solutions combining civil and environmental engineering to recreate functional ecosystems.

Ideal candidate profile

A five-year degree in ecology, environmental studies or related disciplines
Skills in botany, soil science and data analysis (R)
Interest in ecological restoration and Mediterranean habitats

Key information

Location: Avignon & Saint-Martin-de-Crau
Duration: 3 years (2027–2029)
Contract: CIFRE

Application

Deadline: 17 August 2026 at 12 noon
Please send your CV, covering letter, M1/M2 transcripts and referees’ contact details to: thierry.dutoit@univ-avignon.fr

Portrait d’une exploratrice du vivant, décrypté par Jean-Yves Meunier

Borchiellini Carole — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:30:31 +0000

🦋 Observing, collecting, documenting: Lucy Evelyn Cheesman made the field her laboratory

In this previously unseen video, Jean-Yves Meunier, an entomologist and ecologist at the IRD’s IMBE, sheds light on the life and career of Lucy Evelyn Cheesman, a pioneer of scientific exploration.

Through his expert perspective, he puts things into perspective the significance of Lucy Evelyn Cheesman’s work and its lasting contribution to our understanding of living organisms.

From the 1920s onwards, Lucy Evelyn Cheesman led several scientific expeditions in the Pacific and South-East Asia to study the biodiversity of regions that had as yet been little documented. Her research made it possible to collect and describe numerous species, thereby considerably expanding scientific knowledge of insects and tropical ecosystems.

She also became the first female curator of the entomological collection at the Zoological Society of London. Her work contributed to development of natural history collections, which are essential for the study and understanding of biodiversity.

🎥 You simply must take a look at this portrait of a woman!

Première découverte en France de Filago lusitanica dans la plaine de Crau

Borchiellini Carole — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:58:17 +0000

What if a plant as yet unknown in France had been hiding for years in the heart of the Crau plain? This is the surprising discovery made by botanists Daniel Pavon and his colleagues.

In this publication, the authors reveal the presence of Filago lusitanica, a species that had never before been recorded on French territory. Beyond this national first, the study highlights the as yet little-known biodiversity of the Crau, an exceptional natural area that is often difficult to survey.

Combining botanical research, a description of the species and an analysis of its habitat, this article offers a fascinating insight into the challenges of understanding and conserving Mediterranean biodiversity.

A must-read for plant lovers and anyone with a curiosity about nature.

Prix décerné à Pierre Christen pour son engagement dans le LMI BiotecVal

Borchiellini Carole — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:51:55 +0000

We are delighted to share the news that an award has been presented to Pierre Christen, a researcher at the’IMBE, for his commitment to establishing and running the Franco-Tunisian Joint International Laboratory BiotecVal. This award was presented by the LMI Executive Committee at the ceremony held on 5 June 2026 in Hammamet (Tunisia).

This recognition forms part of a collective dynamic featuring Pierre Pol Liebgott (MIO), Cesar Aceves (INSA Toulouse), Hana Gannoun and Lamia Ben Gaida (ISSBAT), relating to the development and coordination of the BiotecVal LMI.

Following on from the LMI BIOTEC H2, BiotecVal is launching a a new phase of Franco-Tunisian scientific cooperation focused on the development of bioresources, bioenergy, innovation and ecological transitions.

Co-funded by the’IRD and the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Research, this programme strengthens the links between research, training, innovation and regional impact.

We would like to congratulate Pierre on this honour.

A écouter : “Les fourmis, une symphonie sans embouteillage”

Borchiellini Carole — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:43:25 UTC

From the France Culture series «Invisible Alliances»
Listen to the podcast «Ants: a symphony without traffic jams», of’Olivier Blight and Didier Josselin:

How do ants manage to optimise their routes and avoid any form of congestion when moving around?

This podcast explores the fascinating mechanisms of collective intelligence, which is both simple in principle and remarkably effective in its results.

Through a cross-disciplinary analysis combining ecology and geography, ecologist Olivier Blight and geographer Didier Josselin offer an innovative interpretation of movement patterns among ants, thereby opening up practical avenues for rethinking human mobility.

Enjoy the listen!

Climat, incendies, humains : qui façonne vraiment nos forêts méditerranéennes ?

Borchiellini Carole — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:19:04 UTC

How have Mediterranean forests evolved over the millennia? What roles have climate, wildfires and human activity played in transforming our landscapes?

This video takes you to the heart of the research being carried out by scientists at the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology. At the crossroads of contemporary and historical ecology, researchers are reconstructing the history of the downy oak forests in the Luberon Regional Nature Park to better understand how they function today.

The IMBE is unique in its ability to combine functional ecology approaches—through the study of the soil-plant continuum (microbial soil functioning and its impact on the production of plant phytometabolites)—with those of historical ecology (reconstructing the history of forests using pedoantracological and palynological methods).

LThe HIST 2F project (funded by the Sud Region) aims to understand how past forest dynamics can influence current forest processes and, consequently, the vulnerabilities of forests in the face of climate change.

Combining field observations, laboratory work and accounts from researchers and PhD students, Find out how natural archives from the past (charcoal and pollen trapped in soil and sediments) can help us better understand the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.

A behind-the-scenes look at palaeoecology, soil science and the phytometabolome of oak trees, meeting the people who are deciphering the history of Mediterranean landscapes.

Succès pour une journée dédiée à la restauration écologique en plaine de Crau

Borchiellini Carole — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:57:46 UTC

A clean sweep for the a day dedicated to the ecological restoration of the ecosystems of the Crau Plain, as part of Ecology, Environment and Biodiversity Week (SEEB), organised by‘Institute of Ecology and Environment (INEE) of the CNRS

63 participants from a variety of backgrounds — businesses, engineering firms, local authorities, associations, government departments and the research community — came together on Thursday 4 June to discuss Issues and practices in sustainable ecological restoration.

The morning began with a visit to the Natural Compensation, Restoration and Renaturation Site at the former Cossure orchard, in partnership with CDC Biodiversité.

The afternoon continued with a field visit to see several practical operations in action:

the restoration of the La Ménudelle quarry
a restoration project following the removal of a concrete slab within the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille

As the visits progressed, the participants were able to gauge the variety of approaches, of innovative techniques mobilised and socio-economic contexts in which these projects are situated.

A day rich in discussion and the sharing of experiences, which fully highlighted the challenges and solutions involved in the sustainable restoration of Mediterranean ecosystems.