Scientists have
discovered the secrets behind electric fish electric ability. Using genetic studies, they
revealed how these exotic creatures developed an organ that can unleash a
wicked jolt. They also explain why it is only in fishes and not birds or terrestrial animals.
For centuries, Scientists have wondered on the ability of the electric fish. Their electrical abilities stand as one of the
wonders of nature alongside traits like bioluminescence in some insects
and sea creatures and echolocation in bats and whales. They have wondered about how these fish
first acquired electric powers and how this characteristic emerged six
times in groups not closely related to one another.
"It really is something truly unique in the animal kingdom," Michigan State University zoology professor Jason Gallant said.
There are hundreds of species of electric fish worldwide, with varying degrees of electric power.
Fish
with weak electric power use it to navigate in dim waters and
communicate with one another. Those like the electric eel - a serpentine
freshwater predator up to 8 feet long (2.4 meters) that is not a true
eel but rather a catfish relative - possessing a powerful jolt use it to
stun or kill prey and repel enemies.
Now the mystery have being resolved. It lies in the genes.
The Mystery Resolved
Researchers on Thursday unveiled a genetic
blueprint of the electric eel - a fearsome denizen of South America that
can zap you with an electric field of up to 600 volts - as well as
detailed genetic data on two other types of electric fish. This blueprint gives incredible insight into the abilities of these amazing creatures.
The new study found that various electric fish rely on the same genes and biological pathways to build their electric organs from skeletal muscle despite the different appearance and body location of their organs.
"Electric organs start out their
lives as muscle precursor cells. Through a series of developmental
steps, they become larger, more electrically excitable and lose their
ability to contract," Gallant said.
All
muscle cells have electrical potential because any muscle contraction
releases a small amount of voltage. Certain fish exploited that by
transforming ordinary muscle cells into a larger type of cell called an
electrocyte that generates vastly higher voltages. The electric organ is
made of these cells.
"Each
electric organ cell makes only a small voltage, similar in magnitude to
our own muscles. The secret of electric organs is that the cells are
aligned in stacks and electrically insulated so that the voltages add
like batteries in a series," University of Texas neuroscience professor
Harold Zakon said.
The
six groups explained by this study includes: South American knife fishes, African electric
catfish, African elephant fish, stargazers, some skates and some rays.
Scientists think the electric organ first appeared in a fish 150 million
to 200 million years ago, Gallant added. According to University of Wisconsin biochemistry professor Michael Sussman "This
only arose in fish because water is a conductor of electricity while
air is not. Thus, birds or terrestrial animals could not come up with
this" .
Now Here's The Biggest Mystery
Can this knowledge be harnessed into something bigger, giving electric capabilities to other creatures (even humans)?
Credits:
- picture Credits : aquaveiws.net
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