The shocking tactic electric fish use to collectively sense the
Neuroscientist Nathan Sawtell has spent a lot of time studying the electric elephantnose fish. These fish send and decipher weak electric signals, which Sawtell hopes will eventually help neuroscientists better understand how the brain filters sensory information about the outside world. As Sawtell has studied these electric critters, he's had a lingering question: why do they always seem to organize themselves in a particular orientation. At first, he couldn't figure out why, but a new study released this week in Nature may have an answer: the fish are creating an electrical network larger than any field a single fish can muster alone, and providing collective knowledge about potential dangers in the surrounding water. Want to hear us cover more animal news? Email the show at shortwave@npr.org to let us know! Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Electric Fish - an overview
Clownfish might be counting their potential enemies' stripes
Against All Odds, The Pumpkin Toadlet Is : Short Wave : NPR
Short Wave Podcast on Spotify
The shocking tactic electric fish use to collectively sense the
Electric fish - Wikipedia
U.N. publishes first-ever analysis of world's migratory species : Short Wave : NPR
The Shocking Tactic Electric Fish Use to Collectively Sense the
Why An Electric Eel Doesn't Shock Itself?
