  Context: We present the results of an extensive ground-based photometric and
spectroscopic campaign on the gamma Dor CoRoT target HD49434. This campaign was
preparatory to the CoRoT satellite observations, which took place from October
2007 to March 2008. Results: The frequency analysis clearly shows the presence
of four frequencies in the 0.2-1.7 c/d interval, as well as six frequencies in
the 5-12 c/d domain. The low frequencies are typical for gamma Dor variables
while the high frequencies are common for delta Sct pulsators. We propose the
frequency 2.666 c/d as a possible rotational frequency. All modes, for which an
identification was possible, seem to be high-degree modes (3 <= l <= 8). We did
not find evidence for a possible binary nature of HD49434. The element
abundances we derived are consistent with the values obtained in previous
analyses. Conclusions: We classify the gamma Dor star HD49434 as a hybrid
pulsator, which pulsates simultaneously in p- and g-modes. This finding makes
HD49434 an extremely interesting target for asteroseismic modelling.
Observations: Based on observations made with the 2.2m ESO/MPI telescope at the
La Silla Observatory under the ESO Large Programme: LP178.D-0361. Also based on
observations obtained at Observatorio de Sierra Nevada (Spain), at the Centro
Astronomico Hispano Aleman at Calar Alto (Spain), at Observatorio Astronomico
Nacional San Pedro Martir (Mexico), at the Piszkesteto Mountain Station of
Konkoly Observatory (Hungary), at Observatoire de Haute Provence (France) and
at Mount John University Observatory (New Zealand).
