By Cultura Colectiva
Deep in a South American river lives an electric eel capable of generating the most potent electrical discharge by any animal in the world. It has been known for over 250 years that electric eels use their discharge to stun their prey. It’s also known that there’s a large number of this species living in the Amazon and in other swamps, streams, and rivers all over South America.
Only in the American continent, there are about 250 different types of creatures capable of generating electricity. Now, these recently discovered potent species aren’t actually eels, but a type of fish that looks like eels, the only ones that use their electricity not only to stun their prey but also as a self-defense method.
(Photo: Nature)
Just like other electric fish, these creatures also swim and communicate through the electricity they generate. Fun fact: electric eels inspired the design of the first battery in 1799, and as scientists have investigated them, they’ve discovered how exactly they generate enough electricity to actually stun big animals. Through the nature of eels, scientists and engineers have developed better technology and even done research work to use this feature to treat diseases.
However, it’s thanks to ecological and genetic analysis that researchers from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History have discovered that these specific eels from the Amazon actually belong to three different species that evolved from a shared ancestor that lived millions of years ago.
After re-examining the species, and with genetic results in hand, they found out there are subtle physical differences that link them to this prehistoric creature. It was then determined that each of these species has a different skull shape, besides a unique pectoral fin and a distinctive setting of pores throughout their bodies.
(Photo: Nature)
Not only that, these three different species live in different spots of the continent. In that way, the “Electrophorus Electricus,” which was thought to be a generic species spread throughout the entire continent, lives only in the highlands of the Guiana Shield, an ancient geological formation where its clear waters descend through rapids.
The “Electrophorus Voltai,” one of the recently discovered species, lives in the southern Brazilian shield, a similar mountainous relief. The third species, “Electrophorus Varii,” named after the late ichthyologist from the Smithsonian, Richard Vari, only swim in swamp waters in the lowlands.
Scientists have determined that these three species that evolved from the same ancient creature, might’ve developed unique electrogenesis process, and in the case of the “Electrophorus Voltai,” this system is still a mystery waiting to be unveiled.
(Photo: Nature)
“These creatures could have different enzymes and different compounds that could be used in the medicine field or inspire new technologies.”
Translated by María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
Read more:
Humans Have Significantly Altered The Brain Structure Of Dogs, New Study Shows
10 Persistent Myths About Climate Change You Should Really Stop Repeating
Trump’s New Laws Endanger American Species Like Bald Eagles And Grizzly Bears
