Electrosensory Organisms

FEB 01, 1994

By detecting weak electric fields from animate or inanimate sources, many aquatic animals acquire information used for orientation, communication and other critical behavior.

DOI: 10.1063/1.881411

Joseph Bastian

Many aquatic animals have the ability to sense very weak electric fields. This electric sense is found in numerous species of marine and freshwater fish and in several amphibian species. Electrosensory abilities have also been reported in “higher” animals including the platypus and a semiaquatic mole.

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More about the authors

Joseph Bastian, University of Oklahoma, Norman.