Abstract
Electrogenic fishes have the unique ability to generate electrical discharges from specialized organs composed of electrocytes. These electrical discharges can be used for predatory behavior, inter-/intra- species communication, and electrolocation capabilities. Electrophorus electricus, more commonly referred to as the electric eel, is the only large, freshwater, electrogenic fish species belonging to the order Gymnotiformes that is both electroreceptive and capable of generating both weak and strong electrical discharges. Because of this, it has been a source of awe and inspiration for innovators across the globe who have utilized and reverse engineered the biological tools of this organism to develop technologies ranging from the use of the animal as a power source, to generation of electricity from mechanical energy, to the development of artificial, electrogenic cells. Thus, the electrobiology of the electric eel has served as a springboard for applications in industrial, recreational, and healthcare settings and may continue to influence future innovation.
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Gifford, J., Leming, M. (2021). The Innovative Power of the Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus). In: Israelowitz, M., Weyand, B., von Schroeder, H., Vogt, P., Reuter, M., Reimers, K. (eds) Biomimetics and Bionic Applications with Clinical Applications. Series in BioEngineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53214-1_6
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