La biodiversité de La Réunion

We are back in Reunion for another month of field work. We will be collecting insects and collaborating with local scientists to investigate biodiversity and biogeography on this oceanic island.

Here some pics and videos from our last trip:

Sunset in St Denis

St Denis shore

Caution - sharks!

Since 2011, Reunion has become a major shark attack capital. The reasons for this sharp increase are complex and include pollution and a ban on shark meat. Surfing is banned and there doesn’t seem to be a solution on the horizon.

Panther chameleon

A panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis). This was the first time I’d ever seen a chameleon in the wild, it was in the middle of the road! I stopped the car and moved it. Panther chameleons were introduced to Réunion from nearby Madagascar in the 19th century.

They produce a lot of rum in Reunion!

View from Roche Ecrite

We went to this reserve to look for the Reunion cuckooshrike and dipped hard. Next time!

Moss in Roche Ecrite

View from the bottom of the lava flow up to Piton de la Fournaise

Walking around Piton de la Fournaise

The caldera of Piton de la Fournaise

Grand Brûlé

Our Pennsylvania-style light trap

Pennsylvania-style light trap at night

Roger Kitching sorting moths

Roger, Christophe and John in the field

Lithosiinae moth

View from Saint-Phillipe

Panther chameleon

Tropical storm Fakir

Waterfall at Cascade du Chien