The present research was carried out in the ecosystems of western Burundi. These ecosystems include the Rusizi National Park, the city of Bujumbura, the Rumonge Forest Nature Reserve, the Kigwena Forest Nature Reserve and the Kibira National Park. The objective of this study was to assess the species richness and the ecological role of Diplopods since they are involved in the mineralization of organic matter. It was carried out by:

NTASHAVU Dieudonné

Under the supervision of:

- Mr. Benoît NZIGIDAHERA, Biodiversity Research Manager at the National Institute for Environment and Nature Conservation (INECN)

- Dr. Régine Pacis NASASAGARE, Professor at the Ecole Normale Supérieure du Burundi, Department of Natural Sciences, Biology-Chemistry Section.

The study of this kind in Burundi is the second after that carried out by Demange in 1977. All the specimens analyzed were collected using the “pitfall” trap in the ecosystems mentioned above. The identification was carried out at the laboratory of the National Institute for Environment and Nature Conservation (INECN) using binoculars and documents. The Royal Museum for Central Africa (MRAC) in Tervuren has contributed a lot in the taxonomic determination of individuals. The study is a very important contribution to the study of Diplopods in Burundi.