Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Handbook of Sensory Physiology ((1729,volume 3 / 3))

Abstract

In the preceding chapter some aspects of the biological role of electroreception are discussed that depend on signals arising from other organisms and from inanimate sources. In the present chapter we consider the reception of signals from electric organs, both from the same individual and from others.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bauer, R.: Untersuchungen zur Entladungstätigkeit und zum Beutefangverhalten des Zitterwelses Malapterurus electricus Gmelin 1789 (Siluroidae, Malapteruridae, Lacep. 1803). Z. vergl. Physiol. 59, 371–402 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, R.: Discharge pattern of Gnathonemus petersii under different behavioral conditions. (In manuscript, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, R.: High electrical discharge frequency during aggressive behaviour in a mormyrid fish, Gnathonemus petersii. Experientia (Basel) 28, 669–670 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belbenoit, P.: Conditionnement instrumental de l’électroreception des objects chez Gnathonemus petersii (Mormyridae, Teleostei, Pisces). Z. vergl. Physiol. 67, 192–204 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L.: Modes of operation of electric organs. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 94, 458–509 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L.: Neural control of electric organs. In: The Central Nervous System and Fish Behavior, Ingle, D., Ed. Chicago: Chicago University Press 1968a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L.: Mechanisms of electroreception. In: Lateral Line Detectors, Cahn, P., Ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press 1968b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L.: Comparative physiology: electric organs. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 32, 471–528 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L.: Electric organs. Electroreception. In: Fish Physiology, Hoar, W.S., Randall, D.J., Eds. New York: Academic Press 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L., Pappas, G.D., Gimenez, M., Nakajima, Y.: Physiology and ultrastructure of electrotonic junctions. IV. Medullary electromotor nuclei in Gymnotid fish. J. Neurophysiol. 30, 236–300 (1967).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L., Steinbach, A.B.: Influence of electric organ control system on electrosensory afferent pathways in mormyrids. In: Neurobiology of Cerebellar Evolution and Development, Llinás, R., Ed. Illinois: American Medical Association 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black-Cleworth, P.: The role of electrical discharges in the non-reproductive social behavior of Gymnotus carapo L. (Gymnotidae Pisces). Anim. Behav. Monog. 31, 1–77 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Box, H.O., Westby, G.W.M.: Behavior of electric fish (Gymnotus carapo) in a group membership experiment. Psychon. Sci. 21, 27–28 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, T.H.: Biological sensors. In: Vistas in Science. Albuquerque: University New Mexico Press 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, T. H.: Species differences in effect of electroreceptor input on electric organ pace-makers and other aspects of behavior in electric fish. Brain Behav. Evol. 2, 85–118 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, T.H., Chichibu, S.: Further analysis of sensory coding in electroreceptors of electric fish. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 54, 422–429 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, T.H., Hamstra, R.H., Jr., Scheich, H.: The jamming avoidance response of high frequency electric fish. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 77, 1–48 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, W.E., Germas, J.E.: An exploratory study of the environmental preferences of electric fish (Sternarchus albifrons). J. gen. Physiol. 115, 33–39 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, W.L., Granath, L.P.: A measure of the threshold sensitivity of Gymnotus carapo to electric fields. Amer. Zool. 7, 742–743 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Coates, C.W., Altamirano, M., Grundfest, H.: Activity in electrogenic organs of knife fishes. Science 120, 845–846 (1954).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, K.S.: Membranes, Ions and Impulses. Berkeley: University of California Press 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, R.T.: The electric eel at home. N.Y. Zool. Soc. 41, 59–65 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewsbury, D.A.: Stimulus-produced changes in the discharge rate of an electric fish and their relation to arousal. Psychol. Rev. 16, 495–504 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dijkgraaf, S.: Biological significance of the lateral line organs. In: Lateral Line Detectors, Cahn, P., Ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enger, P.S., Szabo, T.: Activity of central neurons involved in electroreception in some weakly electric fish (Gymnotidae). J. Neurophysiol. 28, 800–818 (1965).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Erskine, F.T., Howe, D.W., Weed, B.C.: The discharge period of the weakly electric fish Sternarchus albifrons. Amer. Zool. 6(4), 521 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Granath, L.P., Erskine, F.T., Maccabee, B.S., Sachs, H.G.: Electric field measurements on a weakly electric fish. Biophysics 4, 370–372 (1968).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Granath, L.P., Sachs, H.G., Erskine, F.T.: Electrical sensitivity of a weakly electric fish. Life Sci. 6, 2373–2377 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grözinger, B.: Elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen an der Hörbahn der Schleie (Tinca tinca L.). Z. vergl. Pysiol.: 57, 44–76 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagiwara, S., Kusano, K., Negishi, K.: Physiological properties of electroreceptors of some gymnotids. J. Neurophysiol. 25, 430–449 (1962).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagiwara, S., Morita, H.: Coding mechanisms of electroreceptor fibers in some electric fish. J. Neurophysiol. 26, 551–567 (1963).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagiwara, S., Szabo, T., Enger, P.S.: Electroreceptor mechanisms in a high-frequency weakly electric fish, Sternarchus albifrons. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 784–799 (1965).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hainsworth, F.R., Camougis, G., Granath, L.P.: Threshold values for electroreception in some gymnotids. Amer. Zool. 3, 20 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harder, W.: Die Beziehungen zwischen Elektrorezeptoren, elektrischem Organ, Seitenlinienorganen und Nervensystem bei den Mormyridae (Teleostei, Pisces). Z. vergl. Physiol. 59, 272–318 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harder, W.: Nachweis aktiver (elektrischer) Ortung bei Mormyridae (Teleostei, Pisces). Z. Tierpsychol. 30, 94–102 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harder, W., Schief, A., Uhlemann, H.: Zur Funktion des elektrischen Organs von Gnathonemuspetersii (Gthr., 1862) (Mormyriformes, Teleostei). Z. vergl. Physiol. 48, 302–331 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harder, W., Schief, A., Uhlemann, H.: Zur Empfindlichkeit des schwachelektrischen Fisches Gnathonemus petersii (Gthr., 1862) (Mormyriformes, Teleostei) gegenüber elektrischen Feldern. Z. vergl. Physiol. 54, 89–108 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harder, W., Uhlemann, H.: Zum Frequenzverhalten von Gymnarchus niloticus Cuv. (Mormyriformes, Teleostei). Z. vergl. Physiol. 54, 85–88 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heiligenberg, W.: Electrolocation of objects in the electric fish Eigenmannia (Rhamphichthyidae, Gymnotoidei). J. comp. Physiol. 87, 137–164 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holst, E. von, Mittelstaedt, H.: Das Reafferenzprinzip. Naturwissenschaften 37, 464–476 (1950).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, C.D.: Sex differences in electric signalling in an electric fish. Science 176, 1035–1037 (1972a).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, C.D.: Patterns of electrical communication among gymnotid fish. Ph.D. Thesis, Rockefeller University, New York 1972 b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe, D.W., Jr., Erskine, F.T., Granath, L.P.: Threshold sensitivity of Sternarchus albifrons to electric fields. Amer. Zool. 6(4), 521–522 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalmijn, A.J.: Chapt. 5, this Vol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kastoun, E.: Elektrische Felder als Kommunikationsmittel beim Zitterwels. Naturwissenschaften 9, 459 (1971).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larimer, J.L., Macdonald, J.A.: Sensory feedback from electroreceptors to electromotor pacemaker centers in gymnotids. Amer. J. Physiol. 214, 1253–1261 (1968).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lissmann, H.W.: On the function and evolution of electric organs in fish. J. exp. Biol. 35, 156–191 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lissmann, H.W.: Ecological studies on gymnotids. In: Bioelectrogenesis, Chagas, C., Paes de Carvalho, A., Eds. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lissmann, H.W., Machin, K.E.: The mechanism of object location in Gymnarchus niloticus and similar fish. J. exp. Biol. 35, 451–486 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lissmann, H.W., Schwassmann, H.O.: Activity rhythm of an electric fish, Gymnorhamphichthys hypostomus, Ellis. Z. vergl. Physiol. 51, 153–171 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, J.A., Larimer, J.L.: Phase-sensitivity of Gymnotus carapo to low-amplitude electrical stimuli. Z. vergl. Physiol. 70, 322–334 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machin, K. E., Lismann, H.W.: The mode of operation of the electric receptors in Gymnarchus niloticus. J. exp. Biol. 37, 801–811 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Maler, L.: The posterior lateral line lobe of a Mormyrid fish. A Golgi study. J. comp. Neurol. 152, 281–298 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandriota, F.J., Thompson, R.L., Bennett, M.V.L.: Classical conditioning of electric organ discharge rate in mormyrids. Science 150, 1740–1742 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mikhailenko, N.A.: Biological significance and dynamics of electrical discharges in weak electrical fishes of the Black Sea. Zool. Zh. 9, 1347–1352 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Minkoff, L.A., Clark, W.L., Sachs, H.G.: Interspike interval analysis of the discharge of a weakly electric mormyrid fish. Amer. Zool. 7, 131 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Möhres, F.P.: Elektrische Organe im Dienste der Revierabgrenzung. Naturwissenschaften 44, 431–432 (1957).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moller, P.: ‘Communication’ in weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus niger (Mormyridae). I. Variation of electric organ discharge (EOD) frequency elicited by controlled electric stimuli. Anim. Behav. 18, 768–786 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moller, P., Bauer, R.: ‘Communication’ in weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii (Mormyridae). II. Interaction of electric organ discharge activities of two fish. Anim. Behav. (in press, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortenson, F.J.: Determinants of electric discharge rate in Gymnotus carapo, the banded knifefish. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, R.W.: Chapt. 4, this Vol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, D.: Zur Signalverarbeitung im elektrischen Empfangsorgan des schwachelektrischen Fisches Gnathonemus petersii (Mormyriformes, Teleostei). Z. vergl. Physiol. 76, 193–203 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perkel, D.H., Bullock, T.H.: Neural coding. Neurosciences Research Program Bulletin 6, 221–348 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkel, D.H., Schulman, J.H., Bullock, T.H., Moore, G.P., Segundo, J.P.: Pacemaker neurons: effects of regularly spaced synaptic input. Science 145, 61–63 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Réthelyi, M., Szabo, T.: A particular nucleus in the mesencephalou of a weakly electric fish, Gymnotus carapo, Gymnotidae. Exp. Brain Res. 17, 229–241 (1973).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sänger, K.: Änderungen der Entladungsfrequenzen des elektrischen Organs bei verschiedenen Verhaltensweisen eines Nilhechtes (Gnathonemus petersii). Experientia (Basel) 23, 868–869 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheich, H.: Neural basis of communication in the high frequency electric fish, Eigenmannia (Jamming Avoidance Response) I, II, III (in preparation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheich, H.: Neuronal analysis of wave form in the time domain. Midbrain units in electric fish during social behavior. Science 185, 365–367 (1974).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scheich, H.: Pattern recognition and control of an avoidance behaviour by midbrain neurones in electric fish. Brain Res. 66 (2), 354–355 (1974).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheich, H., Bullock, T.H., Hamstra, R.H., Jr.: Neuronal mechanisms of phase coding in high frequency electric fish. Proc. int. Un. Physiol. Sci. 9, 497 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheich, H., Bullock, T.H., Hamstra, R.H., Jr.: Coding properties of two classes of afferent nerve fibers: High frequency electroreceptors in the electric fish, Eigenmannia. J. Neurophysiol. 36, 39–60 (1973).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sokolov, E.N.: Vospriiate i uslovny refleks. Moscow: University of Moscow Press 1958. (Perception and the Conditioned Reflex. New York: Macmillan Company 1963.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinbach, A.B.: Diurnal movements and discharge characteristics of electric gymnotid fishes in the Rio Negro, Brazil. Biol. Bull. 138, 200–210 (1970).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suga, N.: Coding in tuberous and ampullary organs of a gymnotid electric fish. J. comp. Neurol. 131, 437–451 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, T.: Activity of peripheral and central neurons involved in electroreception. In: Lateral Line Detectors, Cahn, P., Ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, T., Fessard, A.: Le fonctionnement des électrorécepteurs étudié chez les Mormyres. J. Physiol. (Paris) 57, 343–360 (1965).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, T., Fessard, A.: Chapt. 3, this Vol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, T., Hagiwara, S.: A latency-change mechanism involved in Sensory coding of electric fish (Mormyrids). Physiol. Behav. 2, 331–335 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westby, G.W.M., Box, HO.: Prediction of dominance in social groups of the electric fish, Gymnotus carapo. Psychonom. Sci. 21, 181–183 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, A., Takeda, K.: The change of discharge frequency by A.C. stimulus in a weak electric fish. J. exp. Biol. 40, 57–66 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

A. Fessard

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1974 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Scheich, H., Bullock, T.H. (1974). The Detection of Electric Fields from Electric Organs. In: Fessard, A. (eds) Electroreceptors and Other Specialized Receptors in Lower Vertrebrates. Handbook of Sensory Physiology, vol 3 / 3. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65926-3_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65926-3_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-65928-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-65926-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics