Scientists from the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and the National Museum of Natural History (USA) managed to discover two new types of electric eels. One of them is capable of delivering discharges of up to 860 volts - more than any of the living creatures known to science. Researchers also found that eels are able to gather in small flocks and coordinate their attacks for more successful hunting and combating predators. This was reported by Nature Communications.
Until now, it has been thought that there is only one type of electric eel. It was discovered over 250 years ago and described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766. By their structure, these fish are biologically closer to catfish and carps, but because of their external resemblance to eels, they got this name. Electric eels are distinguished by a special organ that can give out discharges of strong alternating current, and fish use it for hunting, scaring away predators, as well as for communication and orientation.
- Ordinary electric eel Electrophorus electricus
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- © Reinhard, H./Arco Images GmbH
In their work, Brazilian and American scientists took DNA samples from 107 individuals from various areas of the Amazonian jungle: Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. Then the researchers studied the DNA obtained and came to the conclusion that they were dealing not with one, but with three species of very similarly similar fish. This conclusion was also confirmed after studying the anatomy of eels and their habitats. One of the most important criteria for separating individuals into a separate species was the maximum voltage of the electrical discharge generated by them.
“The key criterion for making the distinction was the voltage for us. Previously, it was not used to determine a new species, ”says Naersiu Menezes, professor at the University of São Paulo, one of the authors of the work.
The view, producing a record high voltage of 860 volts, was named Electrophorus voltai in honor of the inventor of the galvanic battery Alessandro Volta. For comparison, the usual electric eel Electrophorus electricus produces a discharge of 650 volts.
Another open species of electric eels was named Electrophorus varii in honor of the Smithsonian Institute ichthyologist Richard Wari, who made a great contribution to the study of fish in the Amazon. This eel is capable of delivering discharges up to 572 volts. The habitats of two new species are located south of the distribution area of ordinary electric eel.
- View Electrophorus varii
- © eurekalert.org/D. Bastos
Scientists explain the difference in the power of the electric eel organ by the living conditions of the three species. Electrophorus voltai lives in faster and more fresh rivers, the water in which conducts electricity worse, and the other two species inhabit slower rivers and lakes. Their water saturated with salts conducts electrical discharges better, which allows acne to save energy.
Researchers were also able to identify new features of the behavior of acne. It turned out that these fish can gather in schools of up to 10 individuals and coordinate their attacks to achieve the best effect - whether it is scaring off a predator or paralyzing a victim. Until now, it was believed that electric acne lead a solitary lifestyle.
It also turned out that their discharge has a high voltage, but a very small current strength (about 1 ampere, for comparison - the current strength in household networks is usually from 10 to 20 amperes). Scientists have determined that to enhance the effect of electric acne give out short powerful discharges of alternating current, after which they need some time to "recharge" their biological battery.
A team of biologists continues to work in the Amazon. Researchers intend to determine the cause of the separation of species. Also, according to scientists, further study of the features of electric acne will help in the development of implantable devices that can power medical sensors or prostheses.