Trystan Casey
The Amazon River and its basin are home to a diverse range of wildlife, and among its most fascinating inhabitants are electric eels. These creatures have long captivated scientists and adventurers alike with their unique ability to generate powerful electric shocks of up to 860 volts, which they use for hunting and self-defence. Despite their eel-like appearance, electric eels are not true eels but are more closely related to knifefish, carp, and catfish. For over 250 years, scientists believed that the electric eels found in the Amazon belonged to a single species, but recent research has revealed the existence of three distinct species, highlighting the incredible diversity of the Amazon rainforest and the importance of protecting this habitat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Species | 3 |
| Species Names | Electrophorus electricus, Electrophorus voltai, Electrophorus varii |
| Species Discovered By | Carlos David de Santana |
| Species Distinguished By | Voltage, DNA, morphology, ecological data |
| Highest Discharge Recorded | 860 volts |
| Previous Highest Discharge Recorded | 650 volts |
| Habitat | Amazon Basin, including the Guiana Shield region, Brazilian Shield, and lowland Amazon Basin waters |
| Length | Up to eight feet (2.4 meters) |
| Diet | Fish, amphibians, birds, small mammals |
| Use of Electricity | Hunting, self-defence, navigation |
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What You'll Learn
The three species of electric eels in the Amazon
Electric eels, which are a type of fish with an eel-like appearance, have been known to live in the Amazon Basin for over 250 years. However, it was recently discovered that there are three distinct species of electric eels in the Amazon, not just one as previously assumed. This discovery was made by a team of scientists led by Carlos David de Santana, an associate researcher at the US Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
- Electrophorus electricus: This species was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus more than 250 years ago and was once thought to be widely distributed across the continent. However, it is now believed to be confined to the highlands of the Guiana Shield region, which encompasses the northern parts of the Brazilian states of Amapá, Amazonas, and Roraima, as well as Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname.
- Electrophorus voltai: This species is named after Italian physicist and inventor of the electric battery, Alessandro Volta. E. voltai can be found in the Brazilian Shield, a highland region stretching across the Brazilian states of Pará, Amazonas, Rondônia, and Mato Grosso. It is capable of delivering a record-breaking jolt of up to 860 volts, making it the strongest bioelectricity generator known.
- Electrophorus varii: This species was named after zoologist Richard P. Vari, a researcher at the Smithsonian who passed away in 2016. E. varii inhabits the slow-flowing lowland waters of the Amazon Basin, where it can be found in turbid rivers with a relatively large amount of dissolved salts. The increased conductivity of the water means that the discharges of E. varii are lower in power, ranging from 151 to 572 volts.
The discovery of these three distinct species highlights the incredible diversity of the Amazon rainforest and the importance of protecting this threatened habitat. It also raises the possibility that different types of eels may have evolved different ways of generating electricity, adapted to their specific environments.
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![The Eel [Region A & B]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81NhSE-2C8L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The world's most powerful electric eel
Electric eels, which are actually a type of fish with an eel-like appearance, can be found in the Amazon basin. For 250 years, scientists believed that only one species of electric eel existed in the region known as Greater Amazonia, which includes parts of Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana. However, recent DNA research has revealed that there are three distinct species of electric eels in the Amazon: Electrophorus electricus, Electrophorus voltai, and Electrophorus varii.
Of these three species, E. voltai is the world's most powerful electric eel, capable of delivering a record-breaking jolt of 860 volts. This makes it the strongest bioelectricity generator known, with the previous record for electric eels being 650 volts. E. voltai's range includes the Brazilian Shield, a highland region in the southern Amazon with clear, well-oxygenated waters that have low electrical conductivity due to the small amount of dissolved salts. This reduced conductivity is believed to be why E. voltai can produce such powerful electric shocks, as they need to generate stronger volts to stun and kill their prey.
The discovery of E. voltai highlights the incredible diversity of the Amazon rainforest and the importance of protecting this habitat, which is currently threatened by deforestation, logging, and fires. Lead researcher C. David de Santana, a zoologist with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, emphasized that the existence of these new giant fish species indicates that there are likely many other species in the Amazon yet to be discovered.
In addition to E. voltai, the other newly discovered species, E. varii, is named after zoologist Richard P. Vari, a researcher at the Smithsonian who passed away in 2016. E. varii inhabits the lowland Amazon Basin, where the waters have a higher concentration of dissolved salts, increasing the conductivity of the water. As a result, the electric discharges of E. varii are lower, ranging from 151 to 572 volts.
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How do electric eels produce electricity?
Electric eels have been known to exist in the Amazon for over 250 years, but only recently have scientists discovered that there are three distinct species of the fish: Electrophorus electricus, Electrophorus voltai, and Electrophorus varii. These eels can grow up to eight feet long and are capable of delivering powerful electric jolts, with E. voltai holding the record at 860 volts.
So, how do these creatures produce electricity? Electric eels have three specialised electric organs that take up about 80% of their body: the main organ, the Hunter's organ, and the Sach's organ. These organs allow them to produce electric impulses of varying strengths, which serve different functions. The main organ and part of the Hunter's organ produce strong electric shocks that can ward off predators or stun prey. On the other hand, the Sach's organ and the other half of the Hunter's organ produce weak electric impulses used for navigation, seeking prey, and signalling during the breeding season.
The electric eel's ability to generate electricity is due to the unique arrangement of cells in its electric organs. These cells are oriented like a series of batteries, creating a powerful electric current. This current flows along the eel's body and, when discharged, can deliver a powerful shock. Interestingly, the conductivity of the water they inhabit also influences the voltage they produce. For example, E. voltai lives in the highlands, where the water has lower conductivity, so it has evolved to produce a stronger voltage.
While electric eels are the only known fish to use electricity for hunting and self-defence, they are not the only ones that can generate electricity. In fact, about 250 species of fish have this ability. However, electric eels stand out for their powerful voltage and the variety of functions their electricity serves. The discovery of these new species in the Amazon highlights the incredible diversity of this ecosystem and the importance of protecting it from threats such as deforestation and fires.
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The habitat of the electric eel
Electric eels, despite their name, are not true eels. They are a type of fish with an eel-like appearance and are more closely related to catfish and carp than other eel families. They are part of the Gymnotiformes, or knifefish, order. Electric eels are native to South America and can be found in the Amazon basin, including the Guiana Shield region, the Brazilian Shield, and the lowland Amazon Basin. They are a nocturnal species that prefers freshwater habitats and can be found in swamps, streams, creeks, rivers, and pools.
E. voltai, on the other hand, is found in the Brazilian Shield, a highland region in southern Brazil. This species is adapted to life in clear highland waters, which have reduced conductivity. The strong electric shock that E. voltai can produce, up to 860 volts, may be an adaptation to the poor conductivity of the water, allowing it to stun prey and protect itself from predators.
The third species, E. varii, is found in the lowland Amazon Basin, where it inhabits turbid rivers with a relatively large amount of dissolved salts. The increased conductivity of the water means that the discharges of E. varii are lower, ranging from 151 to 572 volts. This species is known to tolerate water with low oxygen levels and can survive in a variety of habitats, including streams, grassland, ravines, and ponds.
Overall, electric eels are highly adaptable and can survive in a range of aquatic environments. They are able to tolerate low oxygen levels by breathing air using buccal pumping, which allows them to take in oxygen through their mouths and expel carbon dioxide through their skin. They have poor vision but are capable of electrolocation, using low-level electrical pulses to navigate and explore their surroundings.
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The history of the discovery of the electric eel
The electric eel, a fascinating creature, has captivated humans for centuries with its ability to generate powerful electric shocks. The history of its discovery is just as intriguing as the creature itself.
The first recorded mention of the electric eel by Europeans was in the 1740s, and by the 1760s, it had been formally named and classified by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who is known as the "father of modern taxonomy". Linnaeus named the species Gymnotus electricus, noting its ability to deliver painful shocks and its habitat in the rivers of Surinam. In 1864, Theodore Gill reclassified the electric eel into its own genus, Electrophorus, derived from the Greek words "ḗlektron" (amber, a substance that can hold static electricity) and "phérō" (to carry), thus giving it the meaning of "electricity bearer".
In 1775, the American physician and politician Hugh Williamson presented a paper on his experiments with the electric eel to the Royal Society. He detailed his experiences of receiving shocks from the eel and observed its impact on catfish, providing valuable insights into the electric eel's capabilities.
In the 19th century, further research was conducted by German zoologist Carl Sachs, who was sent to Latin America by physiologist Emil du Bois-Reymond. Sachs was equipped with a galvanometer and electrodes to measure the electric organ discharge of the eel. He also wore rubber gloves, surprising the locals, as they allowed him to handle the eels without experiencing shocks. Sachs' research, published in 1877, included the discovery of a unique organ in the electric eel, now known as Sachs' organ.
In recent years, the electric eel has continued to intrigue scientists, and in 2019, researchers in Brazil announced the discovery of not one but three distinct species of electric eels, two of which were previously unknown. These new species have showcased even more impressive electric capabilities, with one species, Electrophorus voltai, producing a record-breaking discharge of 860 volts, the highest found in any animal.
The discovery and ongoing exploration of the electric eel have not only captivated scientists but also contributed significantly to our understanding of electricity and its applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, electric eels are found in the Amazon basin.
There are three species of electric eels in the Amazon: Electrophorus electricus, Electrophorus voltai, and Electrophorus varii.
Electrophorus voltai is capable of delivering an electric jolt of up to 860 volts, which is the highest discharge ever recorded for any animal.
