For many species of electric fish the main form of communication is by the means of the electrical modality. Electric fish also use their electrical pulses to sense their surroundings. These electrical signals are produced in a battery like organ which is located in the tail of the fish. A recent study has revealed some the mysteries behind the ways these fish transmit these messages. One species of electric fish, Brienomyrus brachyistius (mormyrid family), communicates through “electric duet” electrical signal between male and females. Both male and female electric fish are able to communicate through electrical currents that they emit into the water. These electrical signals are able to be transmitted through the water to other eels, carrying messages of the species, sex, and social status. But the duet has shown a clear distinction between the male and female electrical signals. The duet was recently discovered because it only occurs during the species courtship and mating. This electric fish rarely mate in captivity which presents many issues in obtaining sufficient recordings. Achieving successful recordings in a limited variable environment was a major accomplishment. After recording they used analytical software to transmit the signal into visual forms to analyze. They revealed that the “rasp”, a electrical signal emitted by the male, is joined by the lower frequency “creaks” that the females produces. The “rasp” is the males advertisement call that is only produced during courtship. This is one of the first studies to sort out electrical signals based on sex. In addition to the male “rasp” and the female “creak” they have identified 11 other specific signals. Indentifying these different signals has opened doors to discovering the specific meaning of each specie unique electrical pulse.
Emerson Martin
http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/210/13/2244
This is an interesting discovery. Do these fish communicate with each other outside of courtship and mating? How did they get the fish to complete a successful mating in captivity? Have the researchers found out what each signal encodes?
ReplyDelete-Tricia Carlson
I always thought electric fish were so cool. How do the electric signals carry information about species, sex, and status? Do they differ in frequency, or have different patterns completely?
ReplyDelete-- Posted by Heather Gore
It is interesting to learn about ways of communication through electric impulses. Are there any other ways of communication for this fish besides electric impulses? You said that these impulses only are used in mating and courtship- surely there has to be communication for other aspects of this species? Is it know what the fish won't mate in captivity and is the information obtain from captive matings accurate if mating typically doesn't happen in captivity?
ReplyDeletePosted by Tiffany Mallet