ANPN Science Brief

Une nouvelle espèce de  Diopatra  (Annelida, Onuphidae) du parc national d'Akanda au Gabon (Afrique centrale) . A new species of  Diopatra  (Annelida, Onuphidae) from Akanda National Park in Gabon (Central Africa). FR  –   Des  inventaires écologiques  récents ont eu lieu au  parc national d'Akanda , au  Gabon . Ces études avaient pour but d' évaluer  l' impact  de l' urbanisation  sur l' écosystème  estuarien de Libreville et de  documenter  sa  biodiversité benthique . Ainsi, une  nouvelle espèce  deDiopatra  a été découverte et recensée dans divers habitats, dont les mangroves. Cette espèce est détaillée, illustrée et ses informations génétiques (gène 16S) sont fournies. En effet,  deDiopatra   ariasisp .  nov . est une nouvelle espèce   de  ver marin  de taille moyenne ,  appartenant au groupe   D.   napolitain .  Elle se distingue par...

EN - Passion and Combat on a Floral Stage: A New Species of Uvariopsis (Annonaceae) from the Monts de Cristal, Gabon, with Notes on its Unique Pollination Ecology FR - Passion et combat sur une scène florale : une nouvelle espèce d’ Uvariopsis (Annonaceae) des Monts de Cristal, Gabon, avec des notes sur son écologie de pollinisation unique Abstract / Résumé EN – Gabon, a biodiversity hub, has revealed a new Annonaceae, Uvariopsis niangadoumae sp. nov., known only from a population in Monts de Cristal National Park. Fieldwork was conducted to collect plant specimens and observe floral visitors. The phylogeny of Uvariopsis was reconstructed by maximum likelihood from hundreds of nuclear markers. Thus, the pollination study included microscopic analysis of pollen, recording of female flower visitors by camera trap (PICT), and identification of collected insects by DNA barcoding. Furthermore, this endemic tree of the Monts de Cristal National Park, Uvariopsis niangadoumae (five meter...

Abstract / Résumé EN –  The study of dietary plasticity in primates provides valuable insights into their ability to adapt to environmental pressures. The mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx), an iconic species of Gabon, stands out due to the formation of mega-groups that can reach up to 1,000 individuals, a social organization that intensifies competition for food resources. In the context of habitat loss and climate change, understanding the dietary flexibility of mandrills becomes essential for guiding conservation strategies. A recent study conducted in Lopé National Park relied on eight years of rare data, combining fecal analysis and fruit availability monitoring to assess this adaptive capacity. Marked Preferences but Great Flexibility The results reveal that mandrills favor fruits, which form the basis of their diet. Their consumption peaks when these resources are abundant. However, during periods of scarcity, they adjust their diet by incorporating more animal prey, leav...

Protected Water Areas and Illegal Activities on Gabon’s Coastline Aires protégées aquatiques et activités interlopes sur le littoral gabonais Abstract / Résumé EN – Since 2002, Gabon has been committed to a policy of biodiversity conservation through institutional and legal efforts to regulate and manage maritime areas. Interest in the maritime and coastal domains has led to the creation of Aquatic Protected Areas (APAs), ecosystems that are home to unique reservoirs of biodiversity. Thanks to these tools, Gabon aims to sustainably exploit and conserve its marine and coastal resources. However, this determination is undermined by a variety of illegal activities. The aim of this article is to reveal the main illegal uses perpetrated in the APAs and the means to counter them. For this purpose, a literature review was carried out, as well as fieldwork based on semi-directive interviews with administrative agents, economic promoters and local residents of APAs. FR – Depuis 2002, le G...

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Plants Consumed by Western Lowland Gorillas in Gabon Activités antibactériennes et antioxydantes des plantes consommées par les gorilles des plaines de l’Ouest au Gabon Abstract / Résumé EN – This study explores the medicinal potential of plants consumed by western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla ) in Gabon’s Moukalaba-Doudou National Park. Four species ( Ceiba pentandra , Myrianthus arboreus , Ficus spp., and Milicia excelsa ) were analyzed for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, and β-carotene bleaching assays. Antibacterial tests targeted multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains using diffusion and microdilution methods to determine inhibition zones, MIC, and MBC values. Results revealed significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in all plant extracts, with notable levels of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and proa...

Free, Prior, Informed Consent and Protected Area Creation in Gabon Le consentement libre, informé, préalable et la création d’une aire protégée au Gabon Abstract / Résumé EN – Gabon is committed to increasing nature protection by 30% by 2030, in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework. In this context, a new consultation process has been launched around the Plateaux Batéké National Park, using the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) approach. A total of 51 interviews were conducted, and a combined thematic and quantitative analysis was carried out to compare the consultation process used in 2002 with that of 2022. The results show that, although the consultation is well-intentioned, the conditions do not currently allow for a meaningful and effective consultation process. FR – Le Gabon s’est engagé à accroître la protection de la nature à hauteur de 30 % d’ici 2030, conformément au Cadre mondial de la biodiversité. Dans ce cadre, une nouvelle consultation a été lancée a...