News from the AEB Division
40 years of monitoring flamingos: new insights into the relationship between migration and aging
November 21, 2025
A study, including the CEFE, has shown that migration influences the aging process in flamingos: migratory birds, which are more exposed to risks early in life, age more slowly, while sedentary birds reproduce earlier and live longer, but with a more rapid decline. These results shed light on the role of movement in life trajectories and raise questions about its effects in humans.
Dust from the past, climate of the future
November 21, 2025
Une étude révèle qu’au cours du dernier maximum glaciaire (23000-19000 ans BP), une partie des poussières fines déposées en Europe provenait du Sahara. Les chercheurs, de Géosciences Montpellier entre autres, ont procédé à des analyses géochimiques de lœss sur 15 sites européens et ont combiné ces résultats avec des modélisations climatiques. Ils ont pu constater que les particules grossières sont d’origine locale, mais les particules fines (<2 μm) présentent une signature saharienne, preuve d’un transport à longue distance et haute altitude. Ces travaux remettent en cause l’idée d’une poussière glaciaire essentiellement locale et soulignent le rôle du Sahara dans la variabilité climatique passée. Ces découvertes nous permettent également d’affiner nos modèles climatiques dans un contexte de changement global.
Xenoparity: an astonishing reproductive strategy
November 21, 2025
In Messor ibericus harvester ants, a new mode of reproduction has just been observed: a queen can give birth to males belonging to two different species. This study, conducted by scientists from ISEM among others and published in Nature, established that the queen of Messor ibericus is capable of cloning males from a different species (Messor structor) to turn them into worker ants, even though these two species diverged more than 5 million years ago. While the phenomenon of sperm parasitism and hybridization was already known in ants, this is the first time that the need to clone another species has been observed; this unprecedented phenomenon has been named xenoparity by researchers. This discovery shows that two species can become sexually dependent on each other in order to survive, a unique strategy in the animal world.
The tiger mosquito continues to spread across Europe
September 23, 2025
Native to Southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito is now well known in southern Europe. As a vector for numerous viruses such as dengue fever and chikungunya, its spread is cause for concern. Scientists (notably from MIVEGEC and ASTRE) have modeled its presence in Europe, and it appears that with rising temperatures linked to global warming, the tiger mosquito could colonize northern Europe, increasing the epidemiological risk. The study provides a map of the areas to be monitored as a priority.
Prospects for improving millet
September 23, 2025
In sub-Saharan Africa, millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a crucial cereal for food security. However, millet yields in this region are low. To improve productivity and quality, it is essential to better understand the mechanisms that govern nutrient absorption, accumulation, transport, and utilization. Scientists (notably from UMR DIADE) have studied the ion content of leaves (ions being the form in which plants absorb nutrients from the soil) and have established a correlation with the anatomical and morphological characteristics of roots. They then identified the regions of the genome involved and candidate genes. These results could lead to the creation of more efficient millet lines.
Role of microcebus in the regeneration of Madagascar's dry forests
July 24, 2025
Madagascar's dry forests are naturally fragile ecosystems that are very slow to regenerate. Research, including work by the SENS joint research unit, shows that microcebes, the world's smallest lemurs, could be of great help in restoring these forests. These small animals are particularly flexible in their diet and habitat. They can colonize degraded habitats or early stages of forest succession, unlike larger lemurs, which are more dependent on large fruit trees. Researchers have shown that mouse lemurs are excellent seed dispersers, not only of herbaceous and shrub species, but also of fruit trees from neighboring forests, and therefore play an important role in ecosystem restoration. As a result, they are valuable allies in "facilitated restoration," a concept that aims to create favorable conditions for nature to regenerate itself, limiting heavy and costly human intervention.
Latin American forests facing climate change
July 24, 2025
Around 100 researchers (including members of AMAP and Forêts&Sociétés) conducted a large-scale study on the future of Latin American forests in the face of climate change. To do so, they used data from forest plots that had been monitored for several decades. The researchers observed which tree species were dying, which were surviving, and/or which were appearing. They measured the climatic parameters of the plots and the functional traits of the plants. A wide range of forests were studied, including the Amazonian plains, Atlantic forests, and mountain forests. For example, the scientists observed that high-altitude forests seem to adapt better than others, showing greater renewal dynamics. Conversely, lowland terrestrial forests show a low capacity to adapt to rapid climate change. These results raise concerns about the future of these ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest.
A guide to using Bayesian statistics
April 29, 2025
Bayesian statistics are regularly used in various branches of biology, particularly in the fields of population modeling, species conservation, and the assessment of anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems. However, this statistical method, perceived as difficult to master, intimidates some researchers.
In an article published in PLOS Computational Biology, a team from CEFE and their international colleagues offer a ten-point guide to help researchers adopt the Bayesian approach, avoiding pitfalls and adopting best practices.
Local agriculture in school cafeterias in the South
April 16, 2025
“End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture” is the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal No. 2. Researchers (from UMR MOISA and QUALISUD, among others) highlight the virtues of local agriculture in this fight through the example of supplying school canteens in southern countries. Local agriculture not only enables a certain degree of sustainable food sovereignty, but also local economic development (production, processing, distribution), all with a reduced carbon footprint. The scientists present a number of best practices: assessing and characterizing local food resources, studying, promoting, and/or improving traditional recipes (which are more readily accepted), identifying the best processing systems, fortifying certain foods, creating innovative ready-to-eat foods, and more. However, these responses to malnutrition must be accompanied by proactive public policies, because, as the authors point out, there are currently many structural and economic obstacles.
Island tropical forests facing cyclones
April 16, 2025
Scientists (notably from UMR AMAP) explain how trees in forests regularly exposed to cyclones have developed certain strategies for resistance and resilience. A study conducted with their partners in Fiji and Vanuatu on more than 22,000 trees shows that their architecture plays a major role: shorter, wider, with denser wood, these trees are more resistant to breakage and, to a lesser extent, uprooting. In addition, buds located under the bark are ready to grow to replace any branches that may have fallen to the ground. This allows these forests to recover quickly after a cyclone. Nevertheless, their future is uncertain: in a context of global warming, with increasingly powerful and recurrent cyclones, these forests could find themselves severely weakened.
26th HélioSPIR meeting
June 24 and 25, 2025, at Agropolis International – 1012 Avenue Agropolis, 34090 Montpellier
The Hélio-SPIR network is organizing its annual "Rencontres" conference on the topics of near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics. The detailed program will be announced shortly, but you can already register.
Assessing agroecology: between a global and local approach
March 13, 2025
Agroecology is now emerging as an alternative to intensive agriculture and a response to the challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. However, it remains difficult to evaluate. A balance must be found between a global approach, which allows results to be generalized and supports public policy, and a local approach, which is costly but allows for a more detailed and relevant analysis of local specificities.
As part of the ASSET project, a team of scientists (with the participation of UMR SENS) developed a new method for assessing agroecology based on the creation of a locally adapted "agroecological intensity index," focus group discussions conducted at the village and district levels, and a visual interpretation of landscapes. The study, conducted in the province of Xiengkhouang in Laos, made it possible to map agroecology using fewer financial and human resources than traditional household surveys. While the results are promising, the scientific team believes that this assessment method can be further improved and hopes to extend it to other territories.
Being a hydrogeology engineer at the University of Montpellier
March 13, 2025
Muriel Geeraert, a hydrogeology engineer, presents her work within the "Transfert en Milieu Poreux" (Transfer in Porous Media) team at the Montpellier Geosciences Joint Research Unit. Between studying coastal aquifers in the field, laboratory work, and practical work with students, Murielle Geeraert enthusiastically describes the diversity of the tasks entrusted to her.
IPBES report: the involvement of the University of Montpellier
March 13, 2025
The IPBES, an intergovernmental scientific and policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services, has just published an assessment report on "the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and the drivers of transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 vision for biodiversity,"also known as the report on transformative change. This report, prepared by more than 100 experts from 42 different countries, highlights the urgent need for profound change in order to achieve a just and sustainable world and halt biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse.
To support the drafting of this report, a technical support unit was set up, hosted by the Structural Programs Department of the University of Montpellier and based at Agropolis. Laurence Perianin, head of the unit, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how this report was put together.
Ecology of fear in deer
February 12, 2025
The ecology of fear posits that large herbivores modify their foraging behavior and habitat selection based on the risks of predation they face. A study conducted by researchers from CEFE and ISEM, among others, sheds light on prey-predator interactions and their effects on ecosystems.
Functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity
February 12, 2025
A study conducted by researchers from CEFE, among others, challenges the idea that phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity are positively correlated. In particular, the study reveals that plant communities composed of species that are closely related in evolutionary terms can in fact perform very different functions within an ecosystem.
Heterogamy and aging
February 12, 2025
Heterogametic individuals (those with two different sex chromosomes, for example XY in most mammals) have a shorter lifespan and lower survival rate than their homogametic counterparts (XX in most mammals). Researchers, notably from ISEM, have studied the case of the African dwarf mouse (Mus minutoides), whose females have the distinctive feature of being able to have three different genotypes: XX, X'X, or X'Y, with the X' sex chromosome blocking the male program of the Y chromosome. The research teams observed that with age, the size of litters produced by X'Y females decreases more rapidly than that of XX or X'X females. Carrying a pair of different sex chromosomes therefore also appears to affect reproductive senescence.
Forest diversity, density, and productivity
January 6, 2025
Forests that are richer in species are, on average, more productive than forests that are poorer in species. However, the mechanisms behind this link between biodiversity and productivity remain a subject of debate.
A study conducted by researchers from CEFE and AMAP, among others, sheds further light on these mechanisms, highlighting the role of maximum stand density. Biodiversity could increase the maximum number of trees coexisting in a stand and thus boost forest productivity.
Discovery of an immunity gene in rice: a breakthrough for food security
June 4, 2024
A study conducted with the participation of researchers from the PHIM joint research unit has identified a gene that confers resistance to the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae in rice, offering new prospects for the protection of rice and wheat crops. Published in Nature Plants, this discovery invalidates previous findings and paves the way for a better understanding of plant immunity.
Preventive management of the desert locust to counter the effects of climate change
May 17, 2024
A study conducted by the CBGP joint research unit reveals that preventive management measures have successfully counteracted the effects of climate change on locust invasions in West and North Africa. By analyzing 40 years of data, the study highlights the crucial importance of this management for food security in the region.
The hybrid origin of the butterfly Heliconius elevatus: a new perspective on species diversification
May 13, 2024
A study has shown that the Amazonian butterfly Heliconius elevatus originated from a hybridization between Heliconius pardalinus and Heliconius melpomene 200,000 years ago. The study shows that hybrid speciation can play an important role in species diversification. Researchers from the CEFE joint research unit participated in this research, which was published in Nature.
Tielles sétoises: when science meets gastronomy
April 26, 2024
Researchers from ISEM and MARBEC participated in a study on tielle, a local culinary specialty from Sète. Their research showed that the flavor of tielle depends mainly on how it is prepared rather than on the species of cephalopod used. They also discovered that Humboldt giant squid was often used, raising questions about the traceability and environmental impact of this traditional dish.
The Rift Valley fever virus circulates in the forests of Central Africa
April 19, 2024
A Franco-Gabonese study reveals the presence of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVF) in wildlife in the tropical rainforests of Central Africa. This research, conducted by researchers from UMR MIVEGEC in collaboration with CIRMF and CIRAD, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, highlights the importance of developing surveillance measures to control this threat to public health.
Diversification of flowering plants: a very long history!
April 16, 2024
300 scientists have deciphered the tree of life of Angiosperms, including researchers from the AMAP and DIADE joint research units. Their study, published in Nature, reveals the evolutionary history of these dominant flowering plants, confirming an early explosion of their diversity around 80 million years ago. This research paves the way for a better understanding of plant diversity and long-term evolution.
The genomes of Arabica coffee and its relatives finally decoded
April 15, 2024
A research team from the DIADE joint research unit led a study that revealed the genome of the Coffea arabica coffee plant and its parent species. The study reveals the evolution of this global resource. Published in Nature Genetics, the results shed light on the evolutionary history of coffee, which is essential for many countries in the Global South. More than 60 scientists analyzed different Arabica populations to understand its diversification into modern varieties, paving the way for a better understanding and new advances in variety improvement.
Exploring genetic interactions to understand complex traits
April 15, 2024
A groundbreaking study on genetic variant interactions, conducted jointly with IPSIM, pushes the boundaries of research by combining mathematics, genetics, and high-performance computing to explore billions of interactions, opening up vast prospects for understanding complex traits.
Study of climate transitions: A solid reference for understanding abrupt changes
April 11, 2024
Géosciences Montpellier contributed to a key study on abrupt climate change by analyzing variations in oxygen isotopes in Chinese climate records. This research identified 196 transitions over 640,000 years, providing valuable data for understanding past and future climate variations.
Ozone alters the chemical signal required for plant–insect pollination: The case of the Mediterranean fig tree and its specific pollinator
April 1, 2024
A study published in Science of the Total Environment, in which researchers from the CEFE joint research unit participated, reveals the impact of ozone on the pollination signal of the Mediterranean fig tree and its pollinating wasp. High ozone levels disrupt the compounds emitted by the fig tree, thereby altering its attractiveness to its pollinator.
The complex genetic code of sugarcane decoded
March 27, 2024
The complex genome of sugarcane has been decoded. This major breakthrough, published in Nature and involving the AGAP joint research unit, opens up new prospects for identifying genes of agronomic interest, thereby offering the possibility of accelerating the selection of varieties better suited to future environmental conditions.
A rich 125,000-year-old coastal ecosystem discovered beneath Ariane 6 in French Guiana
March 26, 2024
Researchers from ISEM, GéoSciences, and the University of French Guiana have discovered a 125,000-year-old coastal ecosystem beneath the Ariane 6 launch site in French Guiana. This discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights a fossil assemblage comprising more than 270 species, providing insight into the unaltered tropical coastal ecosystems of the equatorial Atlantic. These findings also underscore the importance of the potential impact of climate change on endangered species.
Click, click—photography as a tool for researching the food environment
March 25, 2024
A recent study, conducted in collaboration with UMR MOISA, examines the growing use of participatory photography in research on food environments. This approach allows participants to document their experiences and offers unique insights into human interactions with food, while highlighting the importance of greater involvement by participants.
Llamas restore soil and vegetation after glacier retreat
March 21, 2024
Researchers from the AMAP joint research unit participated in a study that reveals that llamas have a positive impact on soil and vegetation regeneration after glacier retreat in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in Peru. Their grazing, trampling, and defecation activities help enrich the soil and promote plant growth. This discovery opens up new prospects for ecosystem conservation in the face of global glacier retreat.
Biodiversity protects forests from the effects of climate change
March 18, 2024
Studies conducted with the participation of the CEFE joint research unit have revealed the crucial importance of biodiversity in protecting ecosystems from adverse climatic conditions. They highlight that plant diversity promotes microclimate regulation and improves ecosystem processes such as decomposition, hence the importance of preserving species diversity in ecosystem management to protect them from the effects of global warming.
Improving dialogue between water sciences and society
March 8, 2024
A hydrology study involving the UMR G-Eau research unit highlights the differences between the expectations of decision-makers and scientific practices in Tunisia. The researchers propose four areas for improvement to strengthen the dialogue between hydrology and society. They suggest clarifying the values underlying the relationship between scientists and society, reintegrating hydrology into the social sphere, broadening research partnerships, and revising scientific practices to promote dialogue between theoretical and practical approaches.
Impacts of agricultural deforestation on biodiversity: discovery of long-ignored factors
March 8, 2024
A meta-analysis coordinated by Peking University, in which the SENS joint research unit participated, has revealed that the effects of agricultural activities on biodiversity vary considerably around the world. The results of this study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, indicate that environmental constraints, whether natural or human-induced, play a crucial role in the selection of disturbance-tolerant species.
A large-scale study on fish size to better understand the impact of human activities and the relevance of Marine Protected Areas
March 7, 2024
A study published in Science, in which the MARBEC research unit participated, analyzes the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the size of pelagic and benthic fish. The results show that the effect of MPAs varies depending on distance from the coast, with increased protection for pelagic fish in remote areas, highlighting the importance of spatial management in restoring fish populations.
Silence, it's mutating: the origin of heritable mutations in trees
February 29, 2024
Researchers, including the AMAP research unit, have studied the genetic diversity of tropical trees in French Guiana, revealing that acquired mutations are passed on to seeds, enhancing their adaptation to environmental changes. This discovery, published in PNAS, is based on DNA sequencing of branches exposed to sunlight, demonstrating the heritability of these mutations in fruit.
Discovery of a new role for microbiota in fruit flies
February 22, 2024
A recent study by the CBGP joint research unit reveals a new role for microbiota in fruit flies, particularly Drosophila suzukii, which is harmful to red fruit crops. Researchers have discovered that female D. suzukii avoid laying eggs in fruit containing D. melanogaster larvae, attracted by their microbiota. This discovery opens up new possibilities for protecting crops against D. suzukii by exploiting their egg-laying avoidance behavior based on the detection of other species' microbiota.
Seaports, hotbeds of a contagious cancer in mussels
February 21, 2024
Researchers from the CNRS and the University of Montpellier have discovered that ports facilitate the spread of this disease between different mussel beds via maritime transport. They recommend policies to limit this phenomenon and protect coastal environments.
Fauna extinction crisis and climate change 34 million years ago in France (Quercy, Occitanie)
January 9, 2024
ISEM researchers conducted a study examining the impact of abiotic and biotic factors on the diversity of endemic European artiodactyls during the Great Discontinuity. The results suggest a decline in endemic artiodactyls linked to major environmental changes rather than active competition with immigrants.
Wildflowers abandon pollinating insects
December 20, 2023
Interactions between plants and pollinators have evolved since the early days of angiosperms, but current environmental changes are causing a decline in pollinators. A study of field pansies in the Paris region shows a rapid increase in self-pollination and changes in traits, making them less attractive to pollinators, demonstrating a rapid evolution in plant reproduction systems.
Acoustics reveal the keys to the vertical distribution of marine animal biomass
December 19, 2023
Researchers from the MARBEC joint research unit participated in a study examining the relationships between oceanographic variables and the distribution of pelagic organisms in the southwestern tropical Atlantic. Using acoustic and species distribution data, this study shows that chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, currents, and stratification play a key role in the distribution of pelagic communities. These factors vary in importance depending on the area, depth, and daily cycle, thus influencing the vertical structure of pelagic ecosystems.
Aquatic viruses reveal the impact of wastewater: new insights for public health
December 19, 2023
Researchers from the MARBEC joint research unit took part in a study on the aquatic viromes of the Ebrié lagoon in Côte d'Ivoire, which has been impacted by wastewater. The study reveals differences between the DNA viromes of plankton and sediments, regardless of eutrophication. RNA viromes varied between sites, highlighting viral sequences linked to fecal contamination and human pathogens, mainly in the most affected areas. These results suggest that virome analysis could be a valuable tool for assessing human contamination of aquatic ecosystems.
Spotlight on fonio, an African cereal
December 19, 2023
The use of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) in agrosystems offers solutions to the challenges posed by global change. A study conducted by researchers from the DIADE and AGAP units on the largest collection of fonio to date has assessed its genetic diversity. By providing easy access to the results via a user-friendly Shiny application, this study enhances research efficiency and opens up new perspectives for improving fonio and indigenous crops as valuable resources for the future.
Healthy soil: an open dialogue between agriculture and science
December 13, 2023
Soils play an essential role in the design of sustainable agricultural practices. To improve the sustainability of agriculture, it is crucial to promote and monitor the ecological functions of soil, as illustrated by a method called SE-CURE and a case study in Madagascar conducted by researchers from the UMR Eco&Sols.
Diet and cancer: links preserved in the tree of life
December 13, 2023
Researchers from the MIVEGEC unit participated in a study exploring the impact of diets on tumor formation in various multicellular organisms. This research shows that rich diets promote the emergence and progression of tumors, while poorer diets offer some protection without being able to cure them.
Arthropod Vectors: Risks of Disease and Biological Invasions
December 7, 2023
An international team, including researchers from UMR MIVEGEC, examined the biology and ecology of blood-feeding arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitoes, whose global spread is linked to disease transmission. The proliferation of blood-feeding arthropods, particularly mosquitoes, poses major challenges to human health. Studies have focused on the genetic plasticity and complex interactions of these vectors in new environments.
Bacteria to reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticides used in agriculture
December 1, 2023
Researchers from the PHIM joint research unit, in collaboration with scientists from Burkina Faso, are exploring the bacterial community associated with rice roots, with the aim of sustainably improving rice cultivation. By studying the root microbiota of rice, this team seeks to identify beneficial bacteria, understand their diversity and influence according to cultivation practices, and highlight the need to design adequate culture media to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria associated with rice, thereby improving its health and productivity.
Presentation of the book “Wine: 60 keys to understanding oenology”
December 4, 2023
Fabienne Remize, a biologist specializing in wine microorganisms, presents the book "Le Vin: 60 clés pour comprendre l'œnologie" (Wine: 60 keys to understanding oenology) alongside Véronique Cheynier on the program "A l'UM la science" (Science at UM). The program explores the history of wine, dating back 50 million years to the first traces of wild grapes, up to the advent of viticulture around 11,000 years ago. Wine, which features in many myths, is a symbol of spirituality, divinity, and wisdom, while also being associated with prohibitions and persistent medical controversies, evoking 2,500-year-old debates initiated by Hippocrates.
ERC Starting Grant
December 4, 2023
Paul Antonio, a paleomagnetism researcher at the Montpellier Geosciences Laboratory, has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant for his UBEICH project, which aims to refine the dating of the Earth's inner core. His innovative experimental method involves customizing equipment to analyze magnetic signals at the mineral scale, offering crucial insights into the crystallization of the Earth's core around a billion years ago. His unusual career path, from teaching to international research, has led him to this success and to the exploration of fundamental geological themes on a global scale.
CeMEB will participate in the AdNatura trade show and will be present at the University of Montpellier's booth.
December 12 and 13, 2023
2 sessions:
- CeMEB session – December 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Room A, Conference Center.
Onehealth, an internationally adopted research approach and its applications around the world and in France. More information. - RiVOC-BIODOVOC-CeMEB session: December 13, 1:45–3:15 p.m. Room C, Conference Center.
The One-Health approach in Occitanie: a few case studies – BiodivOc, LabEx CeMEB, RIVOC.
The complex origins of viticulture in the western Mediterranean
November 15, 2023
Researchers from ISEM (CNRS, IRD, UMontpellier) participated in a study on grape seeds from the Middle Bronze Age in southern Italy. Published in the journal Scientific Reports, this research highlights the early presence of viticulture before the arrival of Greek colonists. The findings suggest that vines were introduced from the eastern Mediterranean between 1450 and 1200 BCE, revealing a complex process involving hybridization with wild vines in the early days of local viticulture.
Innovation Forum 2023 – Innovating for coordinated and sustainable water management
November 13 and 14, 2023
The Innovation Forum 2023 explores innovations for sustainable water management in response to climate change and increasing urbanization. It is being held in Montpellier, a major global center for this issue, with the participation of key players, aiming to analyze developments and impacts of innovations in water management.
Symposium: “Water in Montpellier?”
November 9 and 10, 2023
The symposium "Water in Montpellier" addresses issues related to water, climate change, and population growth, with the aim of raising awareness, promoting local research, and encouraging collective action for responsible water use.
It is organized by the Montpellier Academy of Sciences and Letters in partnership with Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, the UNESCO ICIREWARD International Center, and the University of Montpellier, with the support of the Aqua-Valley cluster.
Major tipping events have dominated the evolution of the climate system.
October 18, 2023
As part of the European TiPES project, an international team, including scientists from CNRS-INSU (OREME), has identified two major climate shifts over the last 66 million years. The first resulted from the Chicxulub meteorite impact around 65.5 million years ago, while the second is linked to the onset of glaciation in the southern hemisphere 34 million years ago.
When bacteria team up with a virus to kill oysters
October 17, 2023
Scientists from IHPE, MARBEC, and CRIOBE, in collaboration with their colleagues in Brittany, studied the interactions between viruses and bacteria in Pacific oyster mortality syndrome (POMS). They identified cooperative bacteria that accelerate the disease by altering the oysters' immunity, thus opening up new avenues for controlling the disease.
AfriMAQUA International Conference
October 23 to 28, 2023
The Marbec unit is helping to organize a conference as part of the AfriMAQUA project (nutrition-sensitive marine aquaculture in Africa). This conference brings together scientists from the North and South to discuss multidisciplinary topics related to the aquatic food system and marine aquaculture in Africa.
The 2023 Science Festival with Marbec
October 2023
“Improving feed efficiency in fish: let’s get down to business”
October 5, 2023
On October 5, 2023, the MARBEC research unit organized a seminar on the topic of "Improving the feed efficiency of fish," presented by François ALLAL (IFREMER MARBEC researcher).
Orchids of Madagascar: current knowledge and conservation
September 28, 2023
An orchid conservation project in Madagascar initiated by the AMAP joint research unit reveals the richness and vulnerability of this endemic family. The exhaustive census of 913 species, 83.1% of which are endemic, highlights the importance of the preservation efforts undertaken.
Developing more sustainable agricultural practices by designing crop mixtures
September 13, 2023
A study conducted by researchers from Phim, AGAP, CEFE, EPHE, and a Chinese laboratory shows that mixing different crop varieties is a potential means of controlling epidemics at the field level in agriculture. However, its effectiveness varies and is often unpredictable, influenced by factors such as neighborhood-modulated susceptibility, where the presence of healthy neighboring plants affects the vulnerability of a given plant.
The order Hymenoptera, which includes wasps, ants, sawflies, and bees, is very diverse.
March 10, 2023
A study involving researchers from the CBGP Center (INRAe, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier SupAgro, University of Montpellier) shows that parasitism has been a dominant strategy since the Late Triassic, but it is the transitions to a secondary plant diet that have most influenced diversification within this order.
The domestication of the safoutier tree through local names
July 27, 2023
In Cameroon, the safou tree is widely cultivated for its fruit, which is essential to the local diet and economy. A Franco-Cameroonian study involving researchers from the DIADE and SENS joint research units examined the diversity of names and preferences for these fruits among tree owners. It reveals the morphological, taste, symbolic, and dietary preferences of consumers, as well as commercial considerations, that influence the classification of safou trees.
Is the Pirarucú introduced in Bolivia a super-predator?
September 12, 2023
Arapaima gigas is a giant freshwater fish introduced in the 1960s to the Bolivian Amazon. Its enormous size (3 m long and weighing up to 200 kg) is causing concern among local fishermen, who blame it for the decline in catches of traditional commercial species.
A recent study has concluded that A. gigas is an omnivore rather than a specialized piscivore and suggests that the impact of its introduction may be less than previously assumed.
An unexpected ally in monitoring zoonosis risks
It is no longer necessary to handle and puncture wild animals in order to analyze and monitor the emergence of zoonoses. A team of Gabonese and French researchers, including those from MIVEGEC, has developed a less invasive and less time-consuming method. This involves analyzing the blood present in the digestive tract of tsetse flies to identify the infectious agents it contains and the animals they infect.
The ICIREWARD Center is partnering with the What A Trip! Festival in Occitanie for the first time.
He will propose several actions:
- An exhibition entitled “Water: a challenge for the future”
- Activities related to the exhibition.
- Educational conferences
- And school workshops
Soil carbon: a global overview of the impacts of human activities
June 22, 2023
Human activities have a profound impact on soil organic carbon (SOC), which affects its contribution to ecosystem services such as climate regulation.
A study conducted by CIRAD researchers in Montpellier and abroad, based on 25,000 experiments, has identified effective agricultural land management practices for restoring soil carbon, such as agroforestry and the use of organic amendments.
How did the armyworm invade four continents?
June 20, 2023
The fall armyworm threatens corn production. Native to the Americas and first reported in West Africa, it has quickly spread across much of the continent as well as to Asia and Oceania. It can cause losses of more than 50% of corn production.
Inbreeding among circumpolar orcas
June 8, 2023
Long-term isolation of a population of orcas living in the southern hemisphere is believed to be the cause of a particularly high rate of inbreeding among this population. This is what analysis of the genome of this population reveals. The study is being conducted by an international team, including researchers from the MARBEC research unit (IRD, Ifremer, University of Montpellier, CNRS).
Inauguration of the Center for Coastal and Marine Studies (Celimer) in Sète: fostering links between stakeholders in the economic and research communities
June 2, 2023
Celimer is the coastal and marine center inaugurated on June 2, 2023, at the IFREMER station in SETE. The center is the result of a scientific partnership between IFREMER and IRD, in association with CNRS and the University of Montpellier.
PaléoJump: a new database on past climates
June 1, 2023
A PaleoJump database provides access to high-quality data on past climates, enabling us to understand and study tipping points.
Read more…
Arctic marine megafauna facing climate change
May 23, 2023
Large marine wildlife is under threat. The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet.
Four CNRS researchers awarded prestigious ERC grants for 2022
May 9, 2023
- 2022 Advanced Grant awarded to researcher Thomas Lenormand, Director of Research at the CNRS (CEFE – CNRS/UM/EPHE/IRD), for his project "The evolution of cis and trans-regulators in eukaryotes (RegEvol)".
- 2022 Consolidator Grant awarded to Nadine LAGUETTE, Director of Research IGMM (CNRS/UM) for her project "Charting Cell Type-Specific Nucleic Acid Immunity (SENTINEL)"
- Starting Scholarship 2022 allocated to:
- Jeanne Tonnabel, research fellow at the CNRS at ISEM (CNRS/UM/IRD/EPHE) with her project "The scope for sexual selection in plants/SEXIPLANTS."
- Vivian Poulin, CNRS research fellow at the LUPM laboratory (CNRS-UM), for his project "New crisis and old mysteries: Resolving cosmic tensions to reveal the dark sector (NewRecords)"
A wood protection mechanism in trees 360 million years ago
April 27, 2023
A study conducted by the AMAP laboratory in collaboration with other foreign laboratories (Irish, Belgian, and German) and published in the journal Nature Plants presents fossil evidence of tyllose formation in the wood vessels of Upper Devonian plants, shedding light on our understanding of how ancient plants responded to injury and infection.
Wet to the ears: multiple aquatic adaptations in hippopotamids
April 20, 2023
A study conducted by scientists involving researchers from ISEM (CNRS, IRD, EPHE, UMontpellier) examines the aquatic affinities of fossil hippopotamoids by studying their morphology and morphometric characteristics, focusing on the petrous bone and cochlea.
The results of this study show that hippopotamoids and cetaceans have convergently acquired semi-aquatic traits, which challenges the idea of a single, ancestral acquisition of semi-aquatic behaviors for these two groups.