Outcomes of Scientific Expedition in Guadeloupe's Southern Islands: New Species and Enhanced Biodiversity Knowledge

The findings from the extensive scientific mission, dubbed La Planète Revisitée des Îles de Guadeloupe (LPRIG), were officially confirmed at the beginning of 2025. This mission, which took place toward the close of 2024 in the southern sector of the Guadeloupe archipelago, successfully documented the discovery of novel species of both flora and fauna that are globally unique. This achievement marks a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to comprehensively inventory the region's rich biodiversity.

The LPRIG project was a collaborative undertaking, co-organized by key institutions including the Regional Biodiversity Agency of the Guadeloupe Islands (ARB-IG), the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), and the French Biodiversity Agency (PatriNat). The expedition mobilized approximately 100 researchers to conduct an in-depth survey across the territories of the islands of La Désirade, Marie-Galante, and Les Saintes. The fieldwork spanned six intensive weeks, commencing on September 27, 2024, and incorporated both marine and terrestrial components.

A central focus of the LPRIG mission was the so-called “neglected” biodiversity. This involved meticulously studying smaller organisms such as mosses, lichens, fungi, as well as various arthropods and mollusks. By concentrating on these often-overlooked groups, the researchers aimed to paint a much fuller picture of the islands’ ecological complexity. This targeted approach ensures that the inventory captures the full spectrum of life present in these vulnerable ecosystems.

This recent undertaking builds directly upon the groundwork laid by earlier marine campaigns, specifically Karubenthos I in 2012 and Karubenthos II in 2015. Those previous efforts were already groundbreaking, leading to the identification of over 300 new species, which at the time represented the most thorough inventory research conducted in the Caribbean basin. For the LPRIG mission, a crucial element involved the collection of samples intended for generating around 400 DNA barcodes. These genetic markers are vital for strengthening local scientific understanding of the archipelago’s delicate natural world.

The Guadeloupe archipelago is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, situated within the wider Caribbean region. This area boasts an exceptional, yet highly vulnerable, natural heritage, evidenced by the fact that approximately 701 species found there are endemic. The high degree of endemism is attributed to the islands’ geographical isolation and the diversity of their microclimates. However, this very isolation renders the local flora and fauna susceptible to external pressures, including habitat loss due to urbanization and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

The LPRIG project received co-financing support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Its primary goal is to furnish contemporary scientific data that will directly inform and enhance both national and European strategies dedicated to biodiversity conservation. The mission’s success was not solely due to the scientific personnel; it also involved the participation of over 110 local businesses and associations. This included fishermen who were instrumental in providing essential marine logistics, alongside numerous students contributing to the fieldwork.

Ultimately, the expedition’s positive results firmly establish the archipelago’s standing as one of the most species-rich locations within the Lesser Antilles, boasting a wide array of natural habitats. The comprehensive data gathered during this effort will be instrumental in shaping more informed and effective public policies concerning the responsible management and preservation of these invaluable natural resources.