Post by Koffi Valentin MAWOUGNIGAN

Integrative taxonomy of the Praomys tullbergi complex (Rodentia, Muridae): a new species from West Africa. 👆 This article represents a significant scientific milestone: the description of a new species for Togo. At a time when biodiversity is rapidly declining, generating #new knowledge on the diversity we have #today is not just important; it is #essential. Understanding what #exists is the first step toward protecting it #effectively. I had the privilege to participate and contribute to all the #field trips that led to this discovery, in collaboration with national and international scientific teams: 2022: field trips conducted with the team from the Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH, Chicago) under wild-funded field missions 2023: field trips carried out with the team from the Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH), with support from the Council on Africa 2024: fieldwork conducted with the team from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN, France) under the project Inventory of the diversity of small terrestrial mammals of Togo (“Projet Fédérateur”). Beyond the discovery itself, these fields allowed me to develop strong expertise in wildlife research, particularly on small #mammals, #birds, and #bats. I gained hands-on experience in: - Morphological identification and comparative morphology - #Morphometric data collection and analysis for each group - Field #sampling techniques and specimen documentation, and - The systematic collection of #high-quality biological data essential for taxonomic and ecological studies. These fields highlight a fundamental truth: wildlife conservation starts with science. Describing a new species is not just a scientific achievement. It is: - Revealing unknown biodiversity - Providing the baseline for conservation actions - Supporting evidence-based policies and management decisions At a time when we urgently need more data on biodiversity, this kind of research is critical. And yet, an important reflection emerges. Today, more and more young people are engaged in events, conferences, discussions, and visibility platforms… but far #fewer are involved in deep, #field-based research on wildlife due to a #lack of field opportunities. At the same time, researchers from outside the continent are often expected to say that there is no data or not enough of it, and that there are not enough researchers in Africa. So, let’s give young people in Africa the opportunity to conduct research and become scientists. Without #data, without #fieldwork, without #science, there is no #effective conservation. To our generation, #Engagement matters, but #producing knowledge is #essential. Because in the end, we can only protect what we truly understand. L' APro-GCB GYBN-Togo ÉCOLOGIE UNIVERSELLE #Biodiversity #WildlifeResearch #ConservationScience #NewSpecies #Taxonomy #Fieldwork #Mammalogy