Accompany the JBL research team to the jewels of the Indian Ocean: Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Mozambique!
Sixteen days of aquatic and herpetological research is on the agenda. Observe the Madagascar day gecko in the rainforests, measure the lighting conditions and water values of the coral reefs around Mauritius and the Seychelles and experience the wildlife of Mozambique both above and under water. As a special highlight manta rays and whale sharks will be waiting there to greet the snorkelers and divers.
Madagascar
The focus of our research will be on terrarium animals, of which the day gecko is surely the most familiar. We will research their habitats (light, UV, temperature and humidity) and observe the animals’ activities. In the rivers we will collect data about the beautiful cichlid species (Paratilapia polleni) which is nowhere else to be found, and while snorkelling we will carry out biotope investigations.
Mauritius
Crystal clear water covering fascinating coral reefs and a relatively unknown terrestrial fauna will await us. The local JBL importer is going to show us all the Mauritian insider tips. In Mauritius we’ll visit the southernmost reefs (4500 km south of the equator) of this expedition.
Mozambique
Mozambique is a highly diversified South African country, which would merit its own expedition. Here we will explore the biotopes of the snakes, lizards and spiders onshore, as well as in the sea at the Manta Coast at Tofo. For marine biological research we are going to compare the reefs off the mainland of Mozambique with those of Mauritius, which are situated on more or less the same latitude, and with those of the Seychelles, which are situated only 700 km south of the equator.
Seychelles
The surely most beautiful islands of the Indian Ocean don’t only have the endemic giant tortoise, but also top diving sites, which we want to compare with those of Mauritius, 1800 km away. We are especially planning to search for amphibious leaping rock-skippers (blennies), of which there are many species in the Seychelles.
More detailed information will be available in the third quarter of the year 2016 on the JBL homepage under Expedice and in the JBL Catalogue 2017.
