Nature reserves often bring to mind roaming buffalo, lions, elephants, maybe a rhino. A future reserve in the fishing town of Rio Lagartos, in the Mexican state of Yucatán, will be different. Close to salt mines and mangrove forests, it might see flamingos and sea turtles stop by. But the purpose of this place, less than a square mile across, will be to protect a much less charismatic species: sea cucumbers. Sea cucumbers are shaped like turds, and have leathery skin. Some species have spikes, stripes, or spots. They lack…
