Abstract
Simple SummaryWe exposed two invertebrates to hydrogen peroxide to mimic some of the conditions that occur before large earthquakes. Water fleas changed their position in an aquarium to avoid the hydrogen peroxide but earthworms appeared not to be affected and did not change position. We discuss this in the context of unusual animal behavior often seen before earthquakes.Unusual behavior before earthquakes has been reported for millennia but no plausible mechanism has been identified. One possible way in which animals could be affected by pre-earthquake processes is via stress activated positive holes leading to the formation of hydrogen peroxide at the rock water interface. Aquatic and fossorial animals could be irritated by H2O2 and move down the concentration gradient. Here, we carry out avoidance tests with hydrogen peroxide in two model organisms; Daphnia pulex and earthworms. Daphnia were found to move away from increasing concentrations of H2O2 but earthworms appeared unaffected. It is possible that earthworm swarming behavior, reported frequently before earthquakes, is caused by electric field shifts or another unknown mechanism, whereas zooplankton may be affected by increasing levels of H2O2.
Highlights
Unusual behavior prior to earthquakes has been reported for millennia [1], most reports are classified as anecdotal and usually consist of post hoc recollections by local people
There are some systematic evaluations of animal behavior changes prior to earthquakes for which behavior has been recorded in a methodical way
Research has shown that some zooplankton appear to be sensitive to environmental changes relating to earthquakes [8] and the water flea, Daphnia spp is sensitive to water quality and is used to test water cleanliness
Summary
Unusual behavior prior to earthquakes has been reported for millennia [1], most reports are classified as anecdotal and usually consist of post hoc recollections by local people. Grant et al [5] proposed that animals’ behavior changes before earthquakes may not be an evolved response but an avoidance reaction to aversive stimuli resulting from geophysical processes occurring in the earthquake preparation zone If this is the case animals are not anticipating seismic activity but merely distancing themselves from unpleasant or harmful substances in their environment. Based on these observations, we considered that earthworms and Daphnia pulex (a small planktonic crustacean) would make satisfactory model organisms for the study of chemical changes occurring prior to earthquakes
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