Islands of giants
The TEB Lab team, in collaboration with IOTA, Seychelles Herbarium, SIF, and the University of Seychelles, embarked on an exciting field trip to Seychelles. Our journey took us across the islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, where we collected several sedimentary sequences from various ecosystems.

Seychelles harbours a rich biodiversity with over 2000 plant species and is home to the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), one of the largest tortoise species in the world. However, their population has declined and is currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Seychelles is also home to another “giant” the extraordinary coco de mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica), which produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom. This palm is endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse, growing up to more than 39 meters tall. The coco de mer's massive seeds can weigh up to 30 kg and measure 40-50 cm in diameter.


By analysing these samples using microfossils and ancient DNA, we hope to gain valuable insights into the ecological history of this granite microcontinent that separated from Gondwana approximately 145 million years ago. Exciting times ahead!

Author
Sandra Nogué Bosch, PI
Photos
Sandra Nogué Bosch, PI
Xaali O'Reilly Berkeley, Postdoc