Leaping eels electrify threats, supporting Humboldt's account of a battle with horses
Leaping eels electrify threats, supporting Humboldt's account of a battle with horses
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DOI：
10.1073/pnas.1604009113
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发表时间：
2016-06-21
影响因子：
11.1
通讯作者：
Catania, Kenneth C.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Catania, Kenneth C.
1800年3月，亚历山大·冯·洪堡观察到当地渔民通过“骑马捕鱼”收集电鳗的非凡景象[冯·洪堡A（1807）Ann Phys 25：34-43]。他们的策略是把马赶进一个有电鳗的水池里，电鳗在放电的时候把自己压在马身上，以激起电鳗的攻击。一旦鳗鱼筋疲力尽，它们就可以安全地被收集起来。这个南美冒险的传奇故事帮助洪堡成名，并在许多出版物中被叙述和说明，但随后的调查人员一直持怀疑态度，200多年来没有类似的鳗鱼行为报告。在这里，我报告一个防御鳗鱼的行为，支持洪堡的帐户。这种行为包括接近和跳出水面，在此过程中，电鳗将下巴压在威胁性的导体上，同时释放高压齐射。其效果是通过威胁使电器官短路，随着鳗鱼在跳跃过程中达到更高的高度，越来越多的能量转移到威胁上。在行为过程中测量电压和电流，以及评估等效电路，揭示了行为的有效性及其自然选择的基础。
In March 1800, Alexander von Humboldt observed the extraordinary spectacle of native fisherman collecting electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) by "fishing with horses" [von Humboldt A (1807) Ann Phys 25:34-43]. The strategy was to herd horses into a pool containing electric eels, provoking the eels to attack by pressing themselves against the horses while discharging. Once the eels were exhausted, they could be safely collected. This legendary tale of South American adventures helped propel Humboldt to fame and has been recounted and illustrated in many publications, but subsequent investigators have been skeptical, and no similar eel behavior has been reported in more than 200 years. Here I report a defensive eel behavior that supports Humboldt's account. The behavior consists of an approach and leap out of the water during which the eel presses its chin against a threatening conductor while discharging high-voltage volleys. The effect is to short-circuit the electric organ through the threat, with increasing power diverted to the threat as the eel attains greater height during the leap. Measurement of voltages and current during the behavior, and assessment of the equivalent circuit, reveal the effectiveness of the behavior and the basis for its natural selection.