What about unexpected animals It’s been incredible on Spanish beaches this summer. Salp pests on the Cantabrian coast, blue dragons in the Canary Islands… Even a supposed crocodile in Catalonia! Leaving aside the fact that the latter is more of a false alarm than a reality, it cannot be denied that many animals that are rarely seen in Spain are starting to appear more and more often on our beaches. Some, like the aforementioned salps, are completely harmless. But others are much more worrying, as contact with them can be very painful. This is the case fire worms This has prompted the red flag to be raised on at least one Canarian beach.
The name of this animal gives what it promises. On the one hand, it orange It reminds us of a flame. And on the other hand, it contains a poison that causes a strong burning sensation those who come into contact with it. It is not fatal, but it is very unpleasant. Therefore, bathers have been warned to be careful in case of a possible encounter.
This is not the first time that fireworms have been observed in Spain. After all, their habitat is very wide and they can be found both in the Atlantic and in the Mediterranean. However, it is true that they are difficult to see in this area. Why are they being seen more and more?
Beware of the fireworm’s poison
fire worms (Hermoditsa carunculata) measure about 15 centimeters in length when they are adults. Its body is flat, divided into almost equal segments. Each of these segments has a pair of appendages called parapodia, which help them move. In turn, the hard bristles are called prickly bristles, which help it stick to the substrate. But, in addition to this, on the sides of the body they also have bristles that serve as protection, since they contain poison inside. The bristles are mainly made of calcium carbonate, so they are very hard and can penetrate the body of the victim, secreting poison.
It is not fatal for humans, but if the bristles remains in the skinThe burning sensation may be unpleasant.
Red flag in the Canary Islands
This is not the first time that fireworms have been spotted in the Canary Islands. In fact, they are old acquaintances of the islanders. However, every time they are found, it is necessary to act as was recently done in snowy beachin the city Agaete. The municipality’s town hall is located in the city. Gran Canariadecided to hang a red flag after spotting several fireworms on the beach. Of course, bathers were warned in case they appeared on other beaches.
Why are there more and more fireworms?
In 2022, a group of Italian scientists conducted a study aimed at analyzing the presence of fireworms in Ionian Seabelonging to the Mediterranean.
There are reports of fireworms being caught by divers in the region. since 1990. For this reason, they were able to compare the evolution of the animal’s populations over 30 years, confirming that huge changes had occurred. Although in 1990, divers usually reported no more than the presence of a worm during 45 minute divesAt the moment you can count on from 200 to 400 of them in the same area and at the same time.
Several studies have been conducted into the causes, and the study authors have concluded that it may be due to climate change. Fat worms follow a life cycle that requires them to live in warm enough water. Otherwise, while some may actually survive, many others will end their life cycle prematurely. Sometimes, newly hatched larvae will not even survive.
Given the prevalence of fireworms in the Ionian Sea, these scientists concluded that we can talk about southernization of the Mediterranean. This phenomenon occurs when cold-water species become increasingly rare and warm-water species become increasingly abundant. The Canary Islands are washed not by the Mediterranean Sea, but by the Atlantic Ocean. However, it is quite possible that something similar is happening because global warming.
So the presence of more fireworms is bad news for something far more important than burning their bites. Because we can keep our distance from them. But climate change is looming over us.
Source: Hiper Textual
