Researches have discovered 2 new electric eel species that produce record-breaking shocks
How does an electric eel produce a shock?
The electric eel has three electricity-producing organs, the Sachs’ Organ, the Hunter’s Organ, and the Main Organ, which together make up about 80% of the fish’s body. The organs are each made up of electrocytes, which function like modern batteries by creating differences in electric potential that can generate a powerful shock.Like the elephant fish, the electric eel produces currents to sense its surroundings and search for prey.
Researchers analyzed the DNA, morphology, and shock-power of the electric eel, and discovered enough differences to constitute three different species. One of the newly-described electric eels,, even broke the shock record, producing a discharge of 860 volts - the highest found in any animal. “The discovery of new electric eel species in Amazonia, one of the planet's biodiversity hotspots, is suggestive of the vast amount of species that remain to be discovered in nature” said Dr. Carlos David de Santana, lead author of the study. “Furthermore, the region is of great interest to other scientific fields, such as medicine and biotechnology, reinforcing the need to protect and conserve it...
Current research seeks to further understand the enzymes produced by the fish’s electric organs for medical applications relevant to Alzheimer’s disease, prosthetic batteries, and human sensor implants.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two sparks of brilliance see New Zealand past South AfricaFour minutes of first-half brilliance led an otherwise unconvincing New Zealand ...
Read more »
Kim Kardashian Wants Help Naming Her Two New PuppiesCast your vote!
Read more »
Callum Izzard jets off to New York without new fiancée Georgia SteelCallum and Georgia took time apart as the hunk headed off to New York while the Love Island bombshell jetted to Ireland
Read more »
A Week With Two Opposite Perspectives On The Climate’s Economic ImpactYou would be forgiven if you feel a bit of climate whiplash this week, because it presented a stark example of the two parallel universes we in the U.S. find ourselves in when it comes to climate (among other issues Democrats are fighting for, as well as talking about on the campaign trail).
Read more »