Grant_Conlan_2015.pdf (570.14 kB)
Behavioral Response of Invertebrates to Experimental Simulation of Pre-Seismic Chemical Changes
journal contribution
posted on 2023-07-26, 14:42 authored by Rachel A. Grant, Hilary ConlanUnusual 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.
History
Refereed
- Yes
Volume
5Issue number
2Page range
206-213Publication title
AnimalsISSN
2076-2615External DOI
Publisher
MDPIFile version
- Published version
Language
- eng
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Legacy posted date
2019-08-01Legacy creation date
2019-08-01Legacy Faculty/School/Department
ARCHIVED Faculty of Science & Technology (until September 2018)Usage metrics
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