Ampullae of Lorenzini
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Ampullae of Lorenzini are electroreceptors, sense organs able to detect electric fields. They form a network of mucus-filled pores in the skin of cartilaginous fish and of basal bony fishes such as re
Pores of ampullae of Lorenzini in snout of tiger shark
Inner view of ampullae of Lorenzini. The bulbs appear as many pale translucent spheres on either side of the midline.
Antennarius striatus
Electroreception and electrogenesis are the closely related biological abilities to perceive electrical stimuli and to generate electric fields. Both are used to locate prey; stronger electric dischar
Ampullae of Lorenzini
…Ampullae of Lorenzini (sing.: ampulla) are electroreceptors, sense organs able to detect electric fields. They form a network of mucus-filled pores in the skin of cartilaginous fish (sharks, rays, and chimaeras…
Hans Lissmann discovered electroreception in 1950 through his observations of Gymnarchus niloticus.
For the elephantfish, the electric organ in the tail (blue) generates an electric field (cyan). This is sensed by electroreceptors in the skin, including two electric pits (foveas) to actively search and inspect objects. Shown are the field distortions created by two different types of objects: a plant that conducts better than water (green) and a non-conducting stone (brown).
Electric eels create electric fields powerful enough to stun prey using modified muscles. Some weakly electric knifefishes appear to mimic the electric eel's discharge patterns; this may be Batesian mimicry, to deceive predators that they are too dangerous to attack.