外形特征
行(xing)動(dong)遲緩,棲息于(yu)緩流(liu)的(de)淡水水體中,并不時上浮水面(mian),吞入空氣,進行(xing)呼吸。體長(chang),圓(yuan)柱形,無鱗,灰褐色,長(chang)可(ke)達(da)2.5公(gong)尺,重(zhong)可(ke)達(da)20千(qian)克。背鰭、尾鰭退化,但(dan)占體全長(chang)近4/5的(de)尾,其(qi)下緣有一長(chang)形臀(tun)鰭,依(yi)靠(kao)臀(tun)鰭的(de)撥(bo)動(dong)而游動(dong)。尾部(bu)具發(fa)(fa)電(dian)(dian)器(qi),來(lai)源(yuan)于(yu)肌(ji)肉組織,并受(shou)脊(ji)(ji)神經支配。能(neng)隨意(yi)發(fa)(fa)出電(dian)(dian)壓高達(da)650伏特的(de)電(dian)(dian)壓。體表光滑無鱗,背部(bu)黑色,腹(fu)部(bu)橙黃色,沒有背鰭和腹(fu)鰭,臀(tun)鰭特別長(chang),是主要的(de)游泳(yong)器(qi)官。有兩對(dui)形狀為(wei)長(chang)梭形的(de)發(fa)(fa)電(dian)(dian)器(qi),位(wei)于(yu)尾部(bu)脊(ji)(ji)髓(sui)兩側。
電(dian)鰻尾(wei)部兩(liang)側的肌肉,是由有規則地排列著的6000~10000枚肌肉薄(bo)片(pian)組成,薄(bo)片(pian)之間(jian)有結締組織相隔,并(bing)有許多神(shen)經直(zhi)通中樞(shu)神(shen)經系統。每枚肌肉薄(bo)片(pian)像一個小(xiao)電(dian)池,只(zhi)能產生(sheng)150毫(hao)伏的電(dian)壓,但(dan)近萬個“小(xiao)電(dian)池”串(chuan)聯(lian)起來(lai),就(jiu)可以產生(sheng)很高的電(dian)壓。
放電特性
放電的能力
電鰻(man)發(fa)電是一種捕食(shi)和(he)打擊敵害(hai)的手段,有時是一種生理需要。電鰻(man)能隨(sui)意放電,自己(ji)掌握放電時間和(he)強度(du),發(fa)電器最主要的樞紐(niu)是器官(guan)的神經部(bu)分。
電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)是(shi)(shi)魚類中放(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)能(neng)力最(zui)強的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淡(dan)水魚類,輸出的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)達(da)300~800伏,因(yin)此電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)有(you)水中“高壓(ya)線”之稱。電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)發電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)器的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)基本構造與電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰩相(xiang)類似,也(ye)(ye)是(shi)(shi)由許多(duo)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)板組成(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。它的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)發電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)器分布在身體兩(liang)側的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)肌(ji)肉內,身體的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)尾端為正極(ji),頭(tou)部(bu)為負極(ji),電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流是(shi)(shi)從尾部(bu)流向頭(tou)部(bu)。當(dang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭(tou)和尾觸及敵(di)體,或受(shou)到刺激影響(xiang)時即可(ke)發生(sheng)(sheng)強大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流。電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)放(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)主要(yao)是(shi)(shi)出于生(sheng)(sheng)存的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)需(xu)要(yao)。因(yin)為電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)要(yao)捕(bu)獲其他魚類和水生(sheng)(sheng)生(sheng)(sheng)物(wu)(wu),放(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)就是(shi)(shi)獲取獵物(wu)(wu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一種手段。它所釋放(fang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)量,能(neng)夠輕而易(yi)舉地把比(bi)它小的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)動物(wu)(wu)擊死,有(you)時還會擊斃(bi)比(bi)它大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)動物(wu)(wu),如(ru)正在河里(li)涉(she)水的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)馬和游泳的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)牛也(ye)(ye)會被電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)擊昏。
電(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)放(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)時(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)平均電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)為(wei)(wei)350多(duo)伏(fu),但也(ye)有過650伏(fu)的(de)(de)放(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)記錄。美洲(zhou)電(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)最大電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)竟達800多(duo)伏(fu),這么強的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)足以擊死一頭牛。電(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)放(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)時(shi)(shi)產生的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流是極微弱(ruo)的(de)(de),一般不到1安培(pei)(pei);有時(shi)(shi)觀(guan)察(cha)到的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)為(wei)(wei)500伏(fu),電(dian)(dian)(dian)流為(wei)(wei)2安培(pei)(pei),即功率(lv)為(wei)(wei)1000瓦的(de)(de)短(duan)時(shi)(shi)放(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)。雖然發出的(de)(de)是直流電(dian)(dian)(dian),但放(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)頻率(lv)每秒可達300個脈(mo)沖。
放電的損傷力
放電(dian)的(de)損傷(shang)力(li)取決于鰻(man)魚的(de)大小(xiao)和機(ji)體的(de)狀況。當(dang)電(dian)鰻(man)長(chang)(chang)不到(dao)1米時(shi),電(dian)壓隨著電(dian)鰻(man)的(de)成長(chang)(chang)而(er)(er)增加。當(dang)長(chang)(chang)到(dao)1米后(hou),只增加電(dian)流的(de)強度。電(dian)鰻(man)每秒(miao)鐘能(neng)放電(dian)50次,但連續放電(dian)后(hou),電(dian)流逐(zhu)漸減弱,10~15秒(miao)鐘后(hou)完全消失,休息一會(hui)后(hou)又能(neng)重新恢復放電(dian)能(neng)力(li)。在水中3~6米范(fan)圍(wei)內,常有人觸及電(dian)鰻(man)放出的(de)電(dian)而(er)(er)被(bei)擊昏(hun),甚至因此跌入水中而(er)(er)被(bei)淹死。
依靠電來(lai)感知(zhi)周圍環境
電鰻(man)尾部(bu)發(fa)出(chu)的(de)(de)電流,流向頭部(bu)的(de)(de)感受器,因此在它身體(ti)周圍(wei)(wei)形成一個(ge)弱電場。電鰻(man)中樞(shu)神經(jing)系統中有(you)專門(men)的(de)(de)細胞來監視電感受器的(de)(de)活動,并能(neng)根據(ju)監視分析的(de)(de)結果(guo)指揮電鰻(man)的(de)(de)行(xing)(xing)為(wei),決定(ding)采(cai)取捕食行(xing)(xing)為(wei)或避讓行(xing)(xing)為(wei)或其它行(xing)(xing)為(wei)。有(you)人曾(ceng)經(jing)做過這(zhe)樣(yang)一個(ge)實驗:在水池中放(fang)置兩(liang)根垂(chui)直的(de)(de)導線(xian),放(fang)入電鰻(man),并將水池放(fang)在黑暗(an)的(de)(de)環境里,結果(guo)發(fa)現電鰻(man)總(zong)在導線(xian)中間穿梭,一點兒也不(bu)會碰(peng)導線(xian);當(dang)導線(xian)通電后(hou),電鰻(man)迅速往后(hou)跑。這(zhe)說明電鰻(man)是靠(kao)“電感”來判(pan)斷周圍(wei)(wei)環境的(de)(de)。
放電原理
電(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)體內(nei)有(you)一(yi)些(xie)細(xi)胞(bao)就(jiu)像小(xiao)型的(de)(de)疊層電(dian)(dian)(dian)池,當它(ta)被神經信號所激勵(li)時(shi)(shi),能(neng)陡(dou)然使離子流(liu)(liu)通過它(ta)的(de)(de)細(xi)胞(bao)膜。電(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)體內(nei)從(cong)頭到(dao)尾都有(you)這(zhe)(zhe)樣(yang)的(de)(de)細(xi)胞(bao),就(jiu)像許(xu)多疊在一(yi)起的(de)(de)疊層電(dian)(dian)(dian)池。當產(chan)生(sheng)(sheng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)時(shi)(shi),所有(you)這(zhe)(zhe)些(xie)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(每(mei)個電(dian)(dian)(dian)池電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)約0.15伏)都串聯起來,這(zhe)(zhe)樣(yang)在電(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)頭和(he)尾之間就(jiu)產(chan)生(sheng)(sheng)了(le)很高的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)。許(xu)多這(zhe)(zhe)樣(yang)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池組又(you)并聯起來,這(zhe)(zhe)樣(yang)就(jiu)能(neng)在體外產(chan)生(sheng)(sheng)足夠(gou)大(da)(da)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)。用這(zhe)(zhe)些(xie)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)足以將它(ta)的(de)(de)獵物或(huo)天(tian)敵擊暈或(huo)擊斃。淡水里的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)魚(yu)需(xu)要更多的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池串聯在一(yi)起,因(yin)為淡水的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)阻較(jiao)大(da)(da),產(chan)生(sheng)(sheng)同樣(yang)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)需(xu)要更高的(de)(de)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)。
電鰻自身不(bu)被電的原因
電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)放(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)器(qi)官在(zai)(zai)身(shen)(shen)體(ti)的(de)兩側,而且它大部分的(de)身(shen)(shen)體(ti)或重要的(de)器(qi)官都由(you)絕(jue)緣性很高的(de)構造包住,在(zai)(zai)水中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)就(jiu)像(xiang)是一(yi)個大電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池。電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流由(you)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)阻(zu)最小的(de)通(tong)路經過,所以在(zai)(zai)水中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)放(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)時,電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流會經由(you)水(電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)阻(zu)比電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)身(shen)(shen)體(ti)小)傳(chuan)遞,電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)并不會電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)到(dao)自(zi)已。但如(ru)果(guo)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)被抓到(dao)空(kong)氣(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),因(yin)空(kong)氣(qi)的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)阻(zu)比它身(shen)(shen)體(ti)的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)阻(zu)更大,放(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)話就(jiu)會電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)到(dao)自(zi)已了。另(ling)外,如(ru)果(guo)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)受傷(shang)使兩側的(de)絕(jue)緣體(ti)同(tong)時破損的(de)話,放(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)時就(jiu)會像(xiang)兩條裸露的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)線一(yi)樣發生短路的(de)現象。
捕食特點
電(dian)鰻捕(bu)食的時候(hou),首先(xian)悄悄地(di)游近魚群,然后可連續(xu)放(fang)(fang)出電(dian)流,受到電(dian)擊的魚馬上暈厥過去,身體僵直,于是,電(dian)鰻乘機(ji)吞食它們(men)。電(dian)鰻放(fang)(fang)電(dian),有時也不一(yi)定是為了捕(bu)食,也可能(neng)是一(yi)種(zhong)生(sheng)理需要(yao)。被電(dian)鰻電(dian)死的魚,往(wang)往(wang)超(chao)過它們(men)食用所需要(yao)的量,這給漁業生(sheng)產帶來危害(hai)。
南美洲土著居民利用(yong)電(dian)(dian)鰻連續不斷地放(fang)電(dian)(dian)后,需要經過(guo)一(yi)段時(shi)間(jian)休息和(he)補充豐富的食物后,才能(neng)恢復原有的放(fang)電(dian)(dian)強(qiang)度的特點,先(xian)將(jiang)一(yi)群牛馬趕下河去(qu),使電(dian)(dian)鰻被激怒而(er)不斷放(fang)電(dian)(dian),待電(dian)(dian)鰻放(fang)完(wan)電(dian)(dian)精疲(pi)力(li)盡時(shi),直接捕捉。
分布范圍
全(quan)世界的電(dian)鰻主要生長于熱帶及溫(wen)帶地(di)區(qu)水域,除了歐洲電(dian)鰻及美洲電(dian)鰻分布(bu)(bu)在(zai)大西(xi)洋外,其余均(jun)分布(bu)(bu)在(zai)印度洋及太(tai)平洋區(qu)域,南美洲亞(ya)(ya)馬孫河(he)和圭亞(ya)(ya)那河(he)、奧(ao)里諾科河(he)流域也有分布(bu)(bu)。
生活環境
電(dian)鰻原產于海(hai)中(zhong),是一種降(jiang)河(he)性洄游魚類,溯河(he)到淡水內長大,電(dian)鰻在(zai)江河(he)湖泊中(zhong)生長、發育,往往晝伏夜出,喜歡流(liu)水、弱光(guang)、穴居(ju),具有很(hen)強(qiang)(qiang)的(de)溯水能力,潛逃能力很(hen)強(qiang)(qiang)。
生活習性
電(dian)鰻(man)常在夜(ye)間捕食,食物(wu)中(zhong)有小魚、蟹、蝦、甲殼動(dong)(dong)物(wu)和水(shui)生(sheng)昆(kun)蟲,也(ye)食動(dong)(dong)物(wu)腐敗(bai)尸體,更有部分個體的食物(wu)中(zhong)發現有高等植物(wu)碎屑。電(dian)鰻(man)捕食的時候,首先(xian)悄(qiao)悄(qiao)地游近魚群,然后(hou)可(ke)連(lian)續放出電(dian)流,受到電(dian)擊的魚馬(ma)上暈厥過去,身(shen)體僵直,于是電(dian)鰻(man)乘(cheng)機(ji)吞食它們。電(dian)鰻(man)的攝食強(qiang)度及生(sheng)長速度隨水(shui)溫升高而增強(qiang),一般以(yi)春(chun)、夏兩季為最高。
放電能力
電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)(man)(man)雖(sui)名為(wei)“鰻(man)(man)(man)(man)”,但(dan)(dan)并不是鰻(man)(man)(man)(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)一種(zhong),它(ta)在生物分類上(shang)和鯰(nian)魚更(geng)為(wei)接(jie)近,皆置于骨鰾總(zong)目之下。電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)(man)(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)能(neng)力來(lai)自于它(ta)特化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)肌肉組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)所構(gou)成的(de)(de)(de)(de)放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)體(ti)。肌肉組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)幾乎都能(neng)放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),占其身長(chang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)80%以上(shang),有數以千計(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)體(ti)。電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)(man)(man)的(de)(de)(de)(de)頭部是負(fu)極,尾部是正(zheng)極,每(mei)個(ge)(ge)放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)體(ti)約(yue)可制造(zao)0.15伏特的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓,而(er)(er)當數千個(ge)(ge)放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)體(ti)一起(qi)全力放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)時的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓便高達600~800伏特,但(dan)(dan)這(zhe)種(zhong)高電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓只能(neng)維(wei)持非常(chang)短暫的(de)(de)(de)(de)時間,而(er)(er)且放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)能(neng)力會(hui)隨著(zhu)疲勞或衰老的(de)(de)(de)(de)程(cheng)度而(er)(er)減退。電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)(man)(man)能(neng)自由(you)控制要放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)出(chu)什么(me)程(cheng)度的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)力,一般認為(wei)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)(man)(man)放(fang)(fang)(fang)(fang)出(chu)低(di)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)力的(de)(de)(de)(de)目的(de)(de)(de)(de)是在警告(gao)、試探或偵測(ce)。
電(dian)鰻(man)之所以能不被自己或同類電(dian)到,那是因(yin)為電(dian)鰻(man)體內的(de)脂肪(fang)組織有很好(hao)的(de)絕(jue)緣作用,而(er)且電(dian)鰻(man)本身已很適(shi)應微弱的(de)帶(dai)電(dian)環境。
一項(xiang)最新的(de)(de)研究表(biao)明(ming),電(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)可以利用此電(dian)(dian)流對獵(lie)物進行“遠程控制”,使(shi)躲藏著的(de)(de)魚類抽搐從(cong)而(er)暴露自己的(de)(de)位置。電(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流還(huan)會誘導獵(lie)物的(de)(de)肌(ji)肉不自主地(di)收縮,從(cong)而(er)使(shi)其癱瘓。美國田納(na)西州范德(de)比(bi)爾特大學生物學家(jia)肯尼(ni)斯(si)·卡塔尼(ni)亞表(biao)示:“很(hen)明(ming)顯,電(dian)(dian)鰻(man)(man)比(bi)人類更早發(fa)(fa)明(ming)泰瑟槍(發(fa)(fa)射帶電(dian)(dian)鏢箭(jian)使(shi)人暫時不能動彈的(de)(de)武器)。”
品種簡介
電鰻是整個魚類世界中最為人熟知的(de)物(wu)種之(zhi)一,它分布于亞馬遜流域的(de)圭亞那地(di)區,雖然危(wei)險卻并不(bu)神秘,是當地(di)有名(ming)的(de)傷人動物(wu)和餐桌(zhuo)美味。
外貌特征
電(dian)(dian)鰻(man)沒有(you)(you)背鰭(qi),也沒有(you)(you)腹鰭(qi),只有(you)(you)一(yi)對很(hen)小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)胸鰭(qi),和跨越了整個(ge)下身(shen)的(de)(de)(de)超長(chang)臀鰭(qi),一(yi)直連接(jie)到尾(wei)鰭(qi)。電(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)(de)生存環境極其粗放(fang),大(da)多為渾濁、緩流的(de)(de)(de)水域,這種地方(fang)給(gei)它帶來了兩(liang)個(ge)特點:第(di)一(yi)是眼(yan)睛基本沒什么用了,很(hen)早就退化了,必須(xu)依靠(kao)微弱的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流探知周圍(wei)環境,所(suo)以電(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)路其實是長(chang)時開放(fang)的(de)(de)(de);第(di)二(er)就是這么臟的(de)(de)(de)水里(li)肯定(ding)也長(chang)不出什么好看的(de)(de)(de)顏色(se),所(suo)以電(dian)(dian)鰻(man)的(de)(de)(de)體色(se)十分(fen)一(yi)般,上體灰黑,下腹桔黃,是很(hen)通俗的(de)(de)(de)色(se)彩。
飼養方法
人工飼養中電(dian)鰻對水體更沒(mei)什么要求,微酸(suan)至中性(xing)水質,15℃以(yi)上(shang)的(de)(de)水溫(wen)——這個溫(wen)度甚至冬天家(jia)里(li)有暖氣的(de)(de)話(hua)連加(jia)熱棒都不(bu)用放(fang)——然(ran)后過濾系統(tong)盡(jin)量提供緩動的(de)(de)水流即(ji)可(ke)。電(dian)鰻還會(hui)直接(jie)呼(hu)吸(xi)空氣,連水體容氧的(de)(de)問題都不(bu)必(bi)擔心。它們的(de)(de)肛門雖(sui)然(ran)就在胸腹部(bu)下方(fang)(fang),消化道極短,但(dan)還是挺能(neng)吃的(de)(de)。并且由于它沒(mei)有牙齒,不(bu)能(neng)牢固咬(yao)住獵物,所以(yi)每電(dian)擊必(bi)至對方(fang)(fang)于死地,投喂時務必(bi)小心,不(bu)要自(zi)己(ji)把手放(fang)進水里(li)。