The Biology and Genetics of Electric Organ of Electric Fishes

The electric fish comprises an interesting feature called electric organ (EO) which can generate electricity. In fact, they have an electrogenic system that generates an electric field. This field is used by the fish as a carrier of electric signals for active sensing and communicating with other electric fish [1]. The electric discharge from this organ is used for navigation, communication, and defense and also for capturing prey [2]. The power of electric organ varies from species to species. Some electric fish species can produce strong current (100 to 800 volts), especially electric eel and some torpedo electric rays are highly remarkable [3]. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of electrogenesis is largely unknown.