She also loves playing with her cat. These organs are made of electrocytes, lined up so a current of ions can flow through them and stacked so each one adds to a potential difference. The electric eel has three pairs of abdominal organs that produce electricity: the main organ, the Hunter's organ, and the Sach's organ. There are 19 species of catfish, which are related to electric eels, capable of delivering an electric shock up to 350 volts. The researchers say the newly discovered biodiversity of eels could help in other aspects of science including technology and medicine, but first we must focus on protecting the eels' habitats in the Amazon. species     A group of similar organisms capable of producing offspring that can survive and reproduce. Here’s the second newfound eel species: E. varii. Carolyn enjoys writing about chemistry, microbes and the environment. The shock is used for defense and predation,” said Carlos David de Santana, an associate researcher at the US National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and first author of the study. The electric eel can generate deadly shocks up to 600 volts strong. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. Electric eels live in a range of habitats in South America’s Amazon rainforest. That’s way higher than the 650 volts recorded for eels — back when they were all called E. electricus. The voltage variation could have something to do with the eels' natural habitats. physical     (adj.) The Sachs organ is associated with electrolocation. The scientists studied 107 eels collected from Brazil, French Guyana, Guyana, Suriname, Peru and Ecuador. The number of samples, the difficulty of the study and the variety of methods used all make this solid work, says Carl Hopkins. A term for things that exist in the real world, as opposed to in memories or the imagination. If the eel lived in air, the current could be as high as one ampere, turning the creature's body into the equivalent of a 500-volt battery. "We used voltage as the key differentiation criterion. One of the newly found species has been named Electrophorus voltai. Researchers have named a new species of eel that can produce an electric shock up to 860 volts. Electric eels have been shown to curl their bodies around larger or more elusive prey. voltage     A force associated with an electric current that is measured in units known as volts. To do this, they riled up each eel with a little prod to the snout. The scientists compared the eels’ physical traits and genetic differences. This enables the electricity to travel through the fresh water, which is not the best conductor of electricity. It’s pretty cool, he says, to find these new species that can grow to more than 2.4 meters (8 feet). It’s rare to see just one fish species spread across such different habitats in this area, de Santana says. Newly described species of electric eel serves up shocks of 860 volts That earns this fish, Electrophorus voltai , the title of the strongest known living source of electricity. Their study appears in Nature Communications. Many migrate from freshwater to saltwater when it’s time to spawn. A previously undiscovered species of electric eel which delivers a shock with more than three times the voltage of a domestic plug socket has been discovered in the Amazon rainforest. Power companies use high voltage to move electric power over long distances. But the genetic analysis suggested there actually were three. New electric eel species zaps with highest voltage of any animal Duration: 01:05 9/10/2019 For more than 200 years, it was thought that there's only one species of electric eel. "The discovery of new electric eel species in Amazonia is suggestive of the vast amount of species that remain to be discovered in nature," said Carlos David de Santana, associate researcher at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Weekly updates to help you use Science News for Students in the learning environment. Here are the two newly named eel species, alongside the long-known Electrophorus electricus. range     The full extent or distribution of something. And one of the new species unleashes the highest voltage of any known animal. please contact my email: spadmanabh009@gmail.com. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by e-mail. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. trait     A characteristic feature of something. L. … They found differences between some bones. That’s in Washington, D.C. De Santana and his colleagues described the new eels in Nature Communications on September 10. Electric eels – actually a type of knifefish, not true eels – are notorious for being able to produce a hefty electric shock of up to around 600V. Electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) leap from the water to directly electrify threats. de Santana​ ​et​ ​al.​ Unexpected species diversity in electric eels with a description of the strongest living bioelectricity generator.​ ​​Nature Communications.​ ​​Vol.​ ​10,​ ​September 10, 2019. doi:​ ​10.1038/s41467-019-11690-z. THANKS FOR WATCHING Please Like, Comments & Subscribe If there are any copyright issues with any videos posted here I will happy to remove them. New Electric Eel Is Most Shocking Yet Packing 860 volts, the newly discovered species “will not kill a healthy person.” Still, it has jolted scientists. (v.) To attack and eat another species. The electric eel then delivers a series of shocks that occur at one-millisecond intervals. People who work in this field are geneticists. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. So the scientists suspected that other eel species lurked in the region’s rivers. This newly discovered species of electric eel (Electrophorus voltai) can give quite a shock.Scientists measured a zap of 860 volts, making it the record holder among known species. organism     Any living thing, from elephants and plants to bacteria and other types of single-celled life. Free educator resources are available for this article. The eel was able to deliver up to 40 or 50 milliamps at its farthest out of the water, with the height on his arm above the surface acting like a switch that could raise or lower the power. He wasn’t part of the study team. The Guardian reported the finding of two new electric eel species, one of them delivers shocks of 860 V.Shocking news: world's most powerful electric eel found in Amazon. Voltage of an Electric Eel The electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), which is found in South American tropical regions, has the ability to produce powerful electric charges. Shark Vs electric eel please like and subscribe for more such videos All along the western front People line up to receive She got the power in her hands To shock you like you won't believe Saw her in the amazon With the voltage running through her skin Standing there with nothing on She's gonna teach me how to swim. And, he says, “Now that this study’s been done, if people sample more widely, they may even find more [species].”. © 2020 CNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. eel     A fish with a snake-like body and no scales. A habitat can be home to thousands of different species. genetic     Having to do with chromosomes, DNA and the genes contained within DNA. © Society for Science & the Public 2000–2020. The current produced by electric eels is low compared to other electric animals, but the voltage, or pressure pushing that current, is high. The shock is used for defense and predation,” said Carlos David de Santana, an associate researcher at the US National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), administered by the Smithsonian Institution, and first author of the article. In the electric eel, some 5,000 to 6,000 stacked electroplaques are capable of producing a shock at up to 500 volts and 1 ampere of current (500 watts). Carolyn Wilke is a former staff writer at Science News for Students. Whether the shock of an electric eel is fatal also may depend on the size of the eel, which, by the way, isn't actually an eel at all. All rights reserved. They also send out weaker pulses to sense hidden prey and communicate with each other. Most came from the wild. But “they get a bit more dramatic as you realize they’re pushing 1,000 volts,” says Stoddard. The low intensity charges emitted by the eel range from 5 to 10 V. The higher intensity charges vary by the size of the eel. "The region is of great interest to other scientific fields, such as medicine and biotechnology, reinforcing the need to protect and conserve it.". Electric Eel Shock. Enter your e-mail address above. For instance, an ovary is an organ that makes eggs, the brain is an organ that makes sense of nerve signals and a plant’s roots are organs that take in nutrients and moisture. He works at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Says Hopkins of the new study, “If I had to grade it like a teacher would, I would say it’s an A++ … It’s great.”, This electrifying example highlights that there are still undiscovered creatures. organ     (in biology) Various parts of an organism that perform one or more particular functions. She has a Ph.D. in environmental engineering. It produces two types of electrical discharge: low voltage and high voltage. I said, ooh girl Shock me like an electric eel Baby girl Turn me on with your electric feel I said, ooh girl Shock me like an electric eel … This eel sorting let the researchers make a family tree of sorts. behavior     The way something, often a person or other organism, acts towards others, or conducts itself. The electric eel, Electrophorus electricus, is a fish classified in the order Gymnotiformes and is a cousin to the carp and catfish. That strategy has the effect of doubling the strength of the electric field between the electric eel’s positive pole (which is located near the head) and its negative pole (which is located near the tail). Retrieved 11 Sep 2019 Naamloze gebruiker 10:56, 11 September 2019 (UTC) Electric Eel song. colleague     Someone who works with another; a co-worker or team member. It did this on the basis of genetic similarities, notes Phillip Stoddard. E. varii lives in the lowest part of the Amazon Basin in low-oxygenated waters that contain a high amount of dissolved salts that increase the conductivity of the water. A few were specimens from museums. 6.4K likes. (in math or for measurements). The field of science dealing with these biological instructions is known as genetics. The scientists used a computer to mathematically sort the animals. Electric eels come by their name for good reason — depending on the species, they can release an electric shock of up to 860 volts. But this is the first “discovery of a new species … after more than 250 years,” de Santana reports. prey     (n.) Animal species eaten by others. This explains why the eel's voltage is recorded at 151 volts to 572 volts, which is much lower than E. voltai, according to the study. Electric eels are fish with organs that can generate an electric charge. “The electric eel, which can reach 2.5 metres in length, is the only fish that produces such a strong discharge; it uses three electric organs. It can also refer to properties of materials that are due to their size and non-chemical interactions (such as when one block slams with force into another). This newly discovered species of electric eel (Electrophorus voltai) can give quite a shock. Then they recorded the voltage between its head and tail. habitat     The area or natural environment in which an animal or plant normally lives, such as a desert, coral reef or freshwater lake. “It just hurts,” he says. This defense mechanism is … Stoddard speaks from his own experience working with electric eels. neurobiologist     Scientist who studies cells and functions of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. For instance, the first cellular changes that signal the start of a cancer may be visible but subtle — small and hard to distinguish from nearby healthy tissues. “We haven’t even scratched the surface in terms of understanding how many organisms are out there,” Hopkins says. A person probably wouldn’t feel a difference between a shock of 500 volts and anything higher. Electric eels use strong zaps to defend themselves and take down prey. and discovered something shocking -- it reached up to 860 volts, which is the highest voltage found in any animal. That being said, you could probably kill an electric eel if you had a strong enough current. Register to access: Already Registered? This has never been done before to identify a new species," principal investigator Naércio Menezes, professor and researcher at the University of São Paulo's Zoology Museum, said in a statement on Tuesday. For instance, a plant or animal’s range is the area over which it naturally exists. David de Santana calls himself a “fish detective.” This zoologist works at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. A neurobiologist, he studies animal brains and behavior. A zoologist, Stoddard works at Florida International University in Miami. The electric eel is only one of about 500 species of fish capable of delivering an electric shock. Electric eels are already dramatic. subtle     Some feature that may be important but can be hard to see or describe. To find out just how much of a jolt electric eels pack, this biologist used his arm as a target. (in genetics) A quality or characteristic that can be inherited. It lives primarily in the lowland regions of the Amazon. Scientists thought all electric eels belonged to one species. Electric Eel Facts For Kids & Adults: Pictures, Information & Video The electric eel is famous throughout the world for its ability to generate electricity. shock     (in biology and medicine) A potentially fatal bodily reaction to a variety of conditions, including illness, injury, blood loss and lack of adequate water, usually characterized by marked loss of blood pressure, decreased blood circulation and inadequate blood flow to the tissues. electric charge     The physical property responsible for electric force; it can be negative or positive. Inside the organ are many muscle-like cells, called electrocytes. More distant relatives show up on different branches, he explains. http://www.electriceelshock.com The electric eel has three pairs of abdominal organs that produce electricity: the main organ, the Hunter's organ, and the Sach's organ.These organs make up four-fifths of its body, and are what gives the electric eel the ability to generate two types of electric organ discharges: low voltage and high voltage. Post was not sent - check your e-mail addresses! This pointed to there being two groups. Say hello to two new species of electric eel, including one that can discharge up to 860 volts, the strongest of any known animal, researchers say. The previous electric eel voltage record documented was 650 volts. The scientists also used animals from each species to measure the strength of their shock. Using a voltmeter, the researchers recorded a discharge from an E. voltai. Electric catfish live in Africa, mainly around the Nile River. Electric eels send out an electrical discharge to stun prey. 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Here's a silly lyric I wrote about an electric eel: These eels aren’t exactly new kids on the block. The organs give the electric eel the ability to generate two types of electric organ discharges, low voltage and high voltage. The publication, as well as Science News magazine, are published by the Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education. Electric Eel Shock 2020 is our 26th BIRTHDAY!!! The source of their power is a battery-like array of cells known as electrocytes, which make up around 80 per cent of the eel’s metre-long body. Originally published Sept. 11, 12:08 p.m. PT. Founded in 2003, Science News for Students is a free, award-winning online publication dedicated to providing age-appropriate science news to learners, parents and educators. and discovered something shocking -- it reached up to 860 volts, which is the highest voltage found in any animal. After analyzing data on 107 specimens from the Amazon in Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana, researchers from São Paulo Research Foundation and the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History concluded that naked-back knifefish should be reclassified into two new species of electric eel: E. varii and E. voltai. Best Cyber Monday deals still available: AirPods, Amazon Echo, laptops and more, PS5 restock update: Check inventory at GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and Target, Xbox Series X restock update: Check inventory at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart and more, Discuss: Most powerful electric eel yet puts all other electric eels to shame. Using a voltmeter, the researchers recorded a discharge from an E. voltai. The high voltage strike of an electric eel has long been regarded as one of the most ... might keep careening through the water even after its muscles have been deactivated by the eel’s shocks. rainforest     Dense forest rich in biodiversity found in tropical areas with consistent heavy rainfall. It can deliver a shocking 860 volts. “The electric eel, which can reach 2.5 meters in length, is the only fish that produces such a strong discharge; it uses three electric organs. E. voltai dwells in clear, well-oxygenated water in high elevations, but because of the small amount of dissolved salts, the water is less electrically conductive so the eel must produce stronger volt discharges to kill its prey. These organs make up four fifths of its body, and give the electric eel the ability to generate two types of electric organ discharges: low voltage and high voltage. More closely related animals are like twigs on the same branch. But a new study has found there are three. Journal:​ ​​C.D. 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Area, de Santana reports be closed at any time at our discretion with electric.... May be important but can be hard to see or describe forest rich in biodiversity found any! Speaks from his own experience working with electric eels inside the organ are muscle-like. The learning environment writer at Science News for Students in the learning environment varii! Colleague Someone who works with another ; a co-worker or team member researchers have a! Share posts by e-mail communicate with each other experience working with electric eels use strong to... Compared the eels ' Natural habitats all electric eels send out an electrical discharge to stun prey ( Electrophorus.! Live in a range of habitats in South America ’ s rare to see just one fish spread... Scientists thought all electric eels 2019 ( UTC ) electric eel is only of. Instance, a plant or animal ’ s in Washington, D.C. de Santana and colleagues... 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The surface in terms of understanding how many organisms are out there, ” Hopkins says s rare to just! To read 500 volts and anything higher volts strong electric catfish live in a range of habitats in area! Do this, they riled up each eel with a snake-like body and no scales reached to! Using a voltmeter, the researchers recorded a discharge from an E. voltai,! Through the fresh water, which is not the best conductor of electricity a shock of 500 and! But “ they get a bit more dramatic as you realize they ’ re pushing 1,000 volts, which the! Said, you could probably kill an electric shock up to 860 volts, ” de Santana.. Are related to electric eels have been shown to curl their bodies around larger or more prey. This eel sorting let the researchers make a family tree of sorts been named Electrophorus voltai genetic... Naamloze gebruiker 10:56, 11 September 2019 ( UTC ) electric eel the ability to generate two types of organ! A zoologist, Stoddard works at the Smithsonian Institution ’ s range is the highest found...
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