Optically driven collective spin excitations and magnetization dynamics in the N\'eel-type skyrmion host GaV$_4$S$_8$.

GaV4S8 is a multiferroic semiconductor hosting magnetic cycloid (Cyc) and Neel-type skyrmion lattice (SkL) phases with a broad region of thermal and magnetic stability. Here, we use time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy to show the coherent generation of collective spin excitations in the Cyc and SkL phases. Our micromagnetic simulations reveal that these are driven by an optically induced modulation of uniaxial anisotropy. Our results shed light on spin dynamics in anisotropic materials hosting skyrmions and pave a new pathway for the optical manipulation of their magnetic order.