Navigation auf uzh.ch

Suche

Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies

CNDRS (Centre national de documentation et de recherche scientifique)

  • The “Dos du Dragon”, the “dragon’s back”, is a volcanic rock formation at the very North tip of Ngazidja (Grand Comoro) island. It is the habitat of the endemic Bouralé or Comoros iguana (Oplurus cuvieri comorensis). Photo: Oliver Hawlitschek

  • The largest lagoon of the Western Indian Ocean surrounds Mayotte Island. A multitude of small and tiny islets are the habitat of many specifically adapted species. Photo: Kathleen C. Webster

  • The Bouralé or Comoros iguana (Oplurus cuvieri comorensis) is a subspecies endemic to a small area on Ngazidja (Grand Comoro) Island. It is threatened by invasive species. Photo: Kathleen C. Webster

  • A large male of the Mayotte chameleon (Furcifer polleni) resting at night on a branch in the dry forest of Mbouzi Islet. Photo: Oliver Hawlitschek

  • Comoros chameleons (Furcifer cephalolepis), such as this juvenile from the area of Bambao on Ngazidja (Grand Comoro) Island, are not rare, but difficult to spot in the vegetation. Photo: Oliver Hawlitschek

  • The Comoros brush-tail gecko (Ebenavia tuelinae) was scientifically described as a new species only in 2018. Photo: Oliver Hawlitschek

  • The summit of Mt. Karthala, the highest point of the Comoros at 2,360 m a.s.l., is evidence for the volcanic origin of the archipelago. Photo: Oliver Hawlitschek

  • Originally forest-dwellers, Comoros day geckos (Phelsuma v-nigra) have adapted well to the life in banana plantations and can also be observed in and around human settlements. Photo: Oliver Hawlitschek

The Comoros Archipelago

The Comoros are an archipelago of four volcanic islands in the Western Indian Ocean, part of the Malagasy biogeographical region.
We have cooperated with the CNDRS (Centre national de documentation et de recherche scientifique), the University of the Comoros, and the DEALM (Direction de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement, du Logement et de la Mer) of Mayotte, France, since 2008 to investigate the taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biogeography of reptiles, and amphibians, and other groups of animals. This collaboration has led to the generation of crucial data for the delimitation of protected areas and the publication of numerous research papers, a distribution atlas, and a field guide.
We are planning to deepen our collaboration by exchanging students and building capacity for the local study and management of the highly endemic and threatened fauna.

Weiterführende Informationen

Oliver Franz Hawlitschek

Oliver Hawlitschek

Independent group leader

Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies
University of Zurich
Winterthurerstrasse 190
8057 Zurich

Office: Y13-H-46