Earthquake induces mass-spawning event in two coral-reef sea cucumber species in Belize

Authors

  • Arlenie Rogers University of Belize
  • Jean-Francois Hamel Society for the Exploration and Valuing of the Environment (SEVE)
  • Annie Mercier Memorial University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24275/uam/izt/dcbs/hidro/2019v29n1/Rogers

Keywords:

Isostichopus badionotus, Holothuria mexicana, earthquake, spawning

Abstract

Background Electromagnetic pulses that precede earthquakes, and the ensuing crust deformations and vibrations, have been associated with unusual animal behavior (UAB), most commonly in terrestrial species but also in certain marine species, chiefly in the Chordata phylum (eg fish, cetaceans). Goals . The present study explored the occurrence of earthquake-related UAB in an entirely new marine phylum, the Echinodermata. Methods.   Formal and informal surveys conducted by fishing vessels and pre- and post-earthquake along the southern coast of Belize (Central America) were collated. Results The first cases of post-earthquake UAB in echinoderms were documented. They involved thousands of individuals of the holothuroidsIsostichopus badionotus and Holothuria mexicana spawning on May 29 2009 and January 10 2018, respectively. These rare accounts represent the first direct correlation between an earthquake and spawning activity, which occurred outside the normal spawning season and at an unusual time of day. Conclusion. While a growing number of reports indicate that many terrestrial and a smaller number of marine species can change their behavior before and during an earthquake, post-earthquake effects related to reproduction have apparently never been reported before in the animal kingdom. While underlying mechanisms remain unclear, holothuroid echinoderms may be reacted directly or indirectly to seismic activity, or the pressure change generated by it.

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Author Biographies

Arlenie Rogers, University of Belize

University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Marine Research Fellow

Jean-Francois Hamel, Society for the Exploration and Valuing of the Environment (SEVE)

Society for the Exploration and Valuing of the Environment (SEVE), Director and Research Scientist

Annie Mercier, Memorial University

Department of Ocean Sciences, Professor

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Published

2019-10-23

How to Cite

Rogers, A., Hamel, J.-F., & Mercier, A. (2019). Earthquake induces mass-spawning event in two coral-reef sea cucumber species in Belize. HIDROBIOLÓGICA, 29(1), 49–51. https://doi.org/10.24275/uam/izt/dcbs/hidro/2019v29n1/Rogers

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Section

Nota Científica