Eels are proving to be more slippery than antecedently consider . Anewly identifiedspecies of these tightly fitting fish ( yes , eel are really Pisces ) fork up more galvanising voltage than any other creature on the satellite .
All species in their taxonomic order ( Gymnotiformes ) are capable of producing a small electric theatre of operations to help them navigate , a perk that compensates for their pitiful visual sensation . But electric eel ( in the genusElectrophorus ) wad a far more potent slug . They stand three organs full ofcellsthat can produce electrical energy on demand . The electric cell act as a defense mechanism and can efficaciously taser prey into entry .
In astudypublished inNature Communications , researcher collect more than 100 electric eel in the Amazon neighborhood and examine their DNA , electromotive force , and home ground . To their surprise , they found that the single known species of electric eel , Electrophorus electricus , was actually three discrete mintage . They gave the two newfangled I the very heavy alloy names ofE. variiandE. voltai . The latter ( mention for Alessandro Volta , who invented the galvanic bombardment ) produce the potent shock : 860 volt , topping the late record of 650 volt .
Why the varying strength ? The researchers suggested that some eel occupy water with low salinity capacity , and therefore reduced conductivity . A stronger charge may be need to redeem an effective jerking .
While those number vocalize redoubtable , their small current means a electrical shock would n’t necessarily be harmful to a human . Voltage is themeasureof pressure of the flow of electrons ; current , or amperage , is the volume of electron . Eels have high-pitched voltage but humbled current ; home power outlets have low voltage but more current and can be venomous . eel might startle you with a electric shock , but it wo n’t be fatal .
If you should find yourself in a schoolhouse of electric eels bent on quash you , however , the shocks could result in brief incapacitation that could direct to drowning or an aggravation of an existing heart circumstance . The study authors hope to eventually film a coordinated eel attack on ( non - human ) quarry .
The discovery of two new coinage was “ quite literally shocking , ” lead author Carlos David de Santana toldThe New York Times .
[ h / tPhys.org ]
