SENSITIVITY AND BEHAVIORAL REACTION OF SHARKS TO ELECTRIC STIMULI (AND RECORDING OF BRAIN ACTIVITY WITH CHRONIC IMPLANTED ELECTRODES).
Abstract
Sharks, mainly lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris), were studied to find out their sensitivity to electric stimuli. The Lorenzini ampulla, a skin sensory receptor found in elasmobranch fishes, can sense temperature variations, water displacement, or electric stimuli, depending on the species of fish and/or the location of the ampulla. Sensitivities to electric currents between 0.65 and .00024. A per single ampulla were determined. Possible physical analogs to the Lorenzini ampulla were studied. Experiments were carried out at the Lerner Marine Laboratories, Bimini, Bahamas; the Institute of Marine Sciences, Miami, Florida; and at the Biophysical Communications Laboratory of General Dynamics' Electronics Division, Rochester, New York. A formula for laboratory type of synthetic sea water was developed; the formula gave good results. Implantation of an artificial skull and chronic electrodes in the shark's brain was performed. Recordings of the activity of the shark's brain were made as excitants and repellents (in solution) were pumped through the nostrils of the shark. Histology and electronmicroscopy of the olfactory lobe and forebrain of the lemon shark were performed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0648936
Entities
People
- Eugene Agalides
Organizations
- General Dynamics