KOUAKOU Lombart Mesmer Maurice, Côte d'Ivoire

Project title: Assessment of the diversity of native, exotic ant species and identification of potential invasive ant species in Côte d’Ivoire.

Abstract (as taken from original proposal): Biological invasion remains the major threats of biodiversity loss after habitats destruction. It is tightly linked to the introduction of exotic species, an increasing component of human-modified habitats. However, data about exotics and potential invasive organisms, especially about invasive ant for many emerging countries such Ivory Coast, located in biodiversity hotspot is missing. This project aims at providing data about species movement into new areas and identifying potential invasive species so as to predict and prevent biological invasion. This study is carried out in thirteen cities and four protected areas in Ivory Coast. It will allow me to get access to collection of museum and to familiarize myself at the identification of invasive ants. This will permit me to use digitalization equipment of RBINS to process a photographic library of invasive ant of museum collection specimens and my collection in order to use as identification tool for future taxonomic research.

Training location: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences