ZECO TRAVEL TALK

During the 1982 - 1983 El Nino event, sea surface temperatures were exceptionally high in the entire eastern tropical Pacific. In the seas around the Galapagos, they reached levels as high as 86F. There were dramatic changes which took place in the Islands; waterfalls developed, plant life abounded and the impact of soild erosion was obvious. Beneath the surface of the sea, the population dynamics of many species of fish and invertebrates was also altered. One species of fish that seemed unable to cope with the unusual marine conditions was the Blackspot Damselfish, Azurina eupalama. First described by Edmund Heller and Robert Snodgrass (1903) their illustration of the Blackspot Damselfish, is included the Fishes of the Galapagos (Grove & Lavenberg, 1997).

It has now been twenty five years since the ENSO event of 82-83; there have been no photo or observation records of this damselfish since that time. Is it possible that this species disappeared as a result of an El Nino? Not likely, because it must have survived many similar events throughout it evolutionary history. But if that were the case it would be an important discovery. It sure is fun to look for this “Missing Damsel” during our Zegrahm Expeditions trips to the Islands. If it is the case, that the fish disappeared, it would be the first documented “natural extinction” of a fish caused by an El Nino. During the many, many hours I have spent in the waters leading snorkelers and divers in the Galapagos, in the wake of that historic El Nino, not one of these damsels has been seen. So, if you are going to snorkel or SCUBA in the Galapagos keep an eye out.