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Xiao X, Mei Y, Deng W, Zou G, Hou H, Ji X. Electric Eel Biomimetics for Energy Storage and Conversion. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2201435. [PMID: 36840652 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The electric eel is known as the most powerful creature to generate electricity with a discharge voltage up to 860 V and peak current up to 1 A. These surprising properties are the results of billions of years of evolution on the electrical biological structure and bulk, and now have triggered great research interest in electric eel biomimetics for designing innovated configurations and components of energy storage and conversion devices. In this review, first, the bioelectrical behavior of electric eels is surveyed, followed by the physiological structure to reveal the discharge characteristics and principles of electric organs and electrocytes. Additionally, underlying electrochemical mechanisms and models for calculating the potential and current of electrocytes are presented. Central to this review is the recent progress of electric-eel-inspired innovations and applications for energy storage and conversion, particularly including novel power sources, triboelectric nanogenerators, and nanochannel ion-selective membranes for salinity gradient energy harvesting. Finally, insights on the challenges at the moment and the perspectives on the future research prospects are critically compiled. It is suggested that energy-related electric eel biomimetics will greatly boost the development of next-generation high performance, green, and functional electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangting Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Yu Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Wentao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Guoqiang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Hongshuai Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Xiaobo Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
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Gong H, Tan X, Wu Q, Li J, Chu Y, Jiang A, Han H, Zhang K. Bidirectional Jump Point Search Path-Planning Algorithm Based on Electricity-Guided Navigation Behavior of Electric Eels and Map Preprocessing. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:387. [PMID: 37754138 PMCID: PMC10526936 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8050387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The electric eel has an organ made up of hundreds of electrocytes, which is called the electric organ. This organ is used to sense and detect weak electric field signals. By sensing electric field signals, the electric eel can identify changes in their surroundings, detect potential prey or other electric eels, and use it for navigation and orientation. Path-finding algorithms are currently facing optimality challenges such as the shortest path, shortest time, and minimum memory overhead. In order to improve the search performance of a traditional A* algorithm, this paper proposes a bidirectional jump point search algorithm (BJPS+) based on the electricity-guided navigation behavior of electric eels and map preprocessing. Firstly, a heuristic strategy based on the electrically induced navigation behavior of electric eels is proposed to speed up the node search. Secondly, an improved jump point search strategy is proposed to reduce the complexity of jump point screening. Then, a new map preprocessing strategy is proposed to construct the relationship between map nodes. Finally, path planning is performed based on the processed map information. In addition, a rewiring strategy is proposed to reduce the number of path inflection points and path length. The simulation results show that the proposed BJPS+ algorithm can generate optimal paths quickly and with less search time when the map is known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Gong
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- Research Center for Materials and Optoelectronics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangquan Tan
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- Research Center for Materials and Optoelectronics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of On-Orbit Manufacturing and Integration for Space Optics System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Qingwen Wu
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- Research Center for Materials and Optoelectronics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of On-Orbit Manufacturing and Integration for Space Optics System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of On-Orbit Manufacturing and Integration for Space Optics System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Yongzhi Chu
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- Research Center for Materials and Optoelectronics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of On-Orbit Manufacturing and Integration for Space Optics System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Aimin Jiang
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- Research Center for Materials and Optoelectronics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of On-Orbit Manufacturing and Integration for Space Optics System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Hasiaoqier Han
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- Research Center for Materials and Optoelectronics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of On-Orbit Manufacturing and Integration for Space Optics System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of On-Orbit Manufacturing and Integration for Space Optics System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
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Jones TK, Allen KM, Moss CF. Communication with self, friends and foes in active-sensing animals. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:273391. [PMID: 34752625 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Animals that rely on electrolocation and echolocation for navigation and prey detection benefit from sensory systems that can operate in the dark, allowing them to exploit sensory niches with few competitors. Active sensing has been characterized as a highly specialized form of communication, whereby an echolocating or electrolocating animal serves as both the sender and receiver of sensory information. This characterization inspires a framework to explore the functions of sensory channels that communicate information with the self and with others. Overlapping communication functions create challenges for signal privacy and fidelity by leaving active-sensing animals vulnerable to eavesdropping, jamming and masking. Here, we present an overview of active-sensing systems used by weakly electric fish, bats and odontocetes, and consider their susceptibility to heterospecific and conspecific jamming signals and eavesdropping. Susceptibility to interference from signals produced by both conspecifics and prey animals reduces the fidelity of electrolocation and echolocation for prey capture and foraging. Likewise, active-sensing signals may be eavesdropped, increasing the risk of alerting prey to the threat of predation or the risk of predation to the sender, or drawing competition to productive foraging sites. The evolutionary success of electrolocating and echolocating animals suggests that they effectively counter the costs of active sensing through rich and diverse adaptive behaviors that allow them to mitigate the effects of competition for signal space and the exploitation of their signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te K Jones
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kathryne M Allen
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Cynthia F Moss
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Simone Y, van der Meijden A. Armed stem to stinger: a review of the ecological roles of scorpion weapons. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210002. [PMID: 34527038 PMCID: PMC8425188 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions possess two systems of weapons: the pincers (chelae) and the stinger (telson). These are placed on anatomically and developmentally well separated parts of the body, that is, the oral appendages and at the end of the body axis. The otherwise conserved body plan of scorpions varies most in the shape and relative dimensions of these two weapon systems, both across species and in some cases between the sexes. We review the literature on the ecological function of these two weapon systems in each of three contexts of usage: (i) predation, (ii) defense and (iii) sexual contests. In the latter context, we will also discuss their usage in mating. We first provide a comparative background for each of these contexts of usage by giving examples of other weapon systems from across the animal kingdom. Then, we discuss the pertinent aspects of the anatomy of the weapon systems, particularly those aspects relevant to their functioning in their ecological roles. The literature on the functioning and ecological role of both the chelae and the telson is discussed in detail, again organized by context of usage. Particular emphasis is given on the differences in morphology or usage between species or higher taxonomic groups, or between genders, as such cases are most insightful to understand the roles of each of the two distinct weapon systems of the scorpions and their evolutionary interactions. We aimed to synthesize the literature while minimizing conjecture, but also to point out gaps in the literature and potential future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Simone
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
| | - Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
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Natchev N, Yordanova K, Topliceanu S, Koynova T, Doichev D, Cogălniceanu D. Ontogenetic Changes of the Aquatic Food Uptake Mode in the Danube Crested Newt (Triturus dobrogicus Kiritzescu 1903). Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.641657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the feeding mechanisms in vertebrates requires an integrative approach since the feeding event consists of a chain of behaviors. In the present study we investigated the food uptake behavior in different ontogenetic stages in the Danube crested newt (Triturus dobrogicus). We focused on the coordination in the kinematics of the elements of the locomotor and the feeding systems at the transition between the approach of the newt to the prey and the food uptake start. In the feeding strategy of the larvae ofT. dobrogicus, the phase of food search is replaced by an initial “food detection phase.” In both larvae and adult specimens, the animals approached the food to a close distance by a precise positioning of the snout besides the food item. The larvae were able to reach food items offered at over 80° relative to the longitudinal midline of the head. When the food was offered at a large distance or laterally, the food uptake was either not successful or the coordination chain at the transition between food approach and food uptake was interrupted. In young larvae we detected an abrupt change in the activity of the locomotor system and the feeding system. The larvae approached the food by tail undulation and after reaching the final position of attack, no further activity of the locomotor apparatus was detectable. The larvae used a pure form of inertial suction to ingest food. In pre-metamorphic larvae and adults we registered an integrated activation of the locomotor apparatus (both limbs and tail) and the feeding apparatus during prey capture in the form of compensatory suction. The drastic change in the feeding mode of the pre-metamorphotic larvae and the adults compared to the younger larvae inT. dobrogicusmay indicate the evolutionary development of a defined relation in the activity of the locomotor system and the control of the feeding apparatus. We propose that in newts, the interaction between the control execution in both systems switched from successive (body movement – feeding) into integrated (body movement – body movement and feeding) during the ontogeny. The main trigger for such a switch (at least inT. dobrogicus) is the formation of functional limbs during the late larval development.
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Dashevsky D, Rokyta D, Frank N, Nouwens A, Fry BG. Electric Blue: Molecular Evolution of Three-Finger Toxins in the Long-Glanded Coral Snake Species Calliophis bivirgatus. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:124. [PMID: 33567660 PMCID: PMC7915963 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Calliophis is the most basal branch of the family Elapidae and several species in it have developed highly elongated venom glands. Recent research has shown that C. bivirgatus has evolved a seemingly unique toxin (calliotoxin) that produces spastic paralysis in their prey by acting on the voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels. We assembled a transcriptome from C. bivirgatus to investigate the molecular characteristics of these toxins and the venom as a whole. We find strong confirmation that this genus produces the classic elapid eight-cysteine three-finger toxins, that δδ-elapitoxins (toxins that resemble calliotoxin) are responsible for a substantial portion of the venom composition, and that these toxins form a distinct clade within a larger, more diverse clade of C. bivirgatus three-finger toxins. This broader clade of C. bivirgatus toxins also contains the previously named maticotoxins and is somewhat closely related to cytotoxins from other elapids. However, the toxins from this clade that have been characterized are not themselves cytotoxic. No other toxins show clear relationships to toxins of known function from other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dashevsky
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Australian National Insect Collection, Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organization, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Darin Rokyta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 24105, USA;
| | - Nathaniel Frank
- MToxins Venom Lab, 717 Oregon Street, Oshkosh, WI 54902, USA;
| | - Amanda Nouwens
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
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Bastos DA, Zuanon J, Rapp Py‐Daniel L, de Santana CD. Social predation in electric eels. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:1088-1092. [PMID: 33598115 PMCID: PMC7863634 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Social predation-when groups of predators coordinate actions to find and capture prey-is a common tactic among mammals but comparatively rare in fishes. We report the unexpected social predation by electric eels, an otherwise solitary predator in the Amazon rainforest. Observations made in different years and recorded on video show electric eels herding, encircling shoals of small nektonic fishes, and launching joint predatory high-voltage strikes on the prey ball. These findings challenge the hypothesis that electric eels may have a single foraging strategy and extend our knowledge on social predation to an organism that employs high-voltage discharge for hunting. Thereby offering a novel perspective for studies on the evolutionary interplay between predatory and escape tactics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas A. Bastos
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (BADPI)Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da AmazôniaManausBrazil
| | - Jansen Zuanon
- Coordenação de BiodiversidadeInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da AmazôniaManausBrazil
| | - Lúcia Rapp Py‐Daniel
- Coordenação de BiodiversidadeInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da AmazôniaManausBrazil
| | - Carlos David de Santana
- Division of FishesDepartment of Vertebrate ZoologyNational Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonDCUSA
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Electric Eels Wield a Functional Venom Analogue. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13010048. [PMID: 33435184 PMCID: PMC7826911 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, I draw an analogy between the use of electricity by electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) to paralyze prey muscles and the use of venoms that paralyze prey by disrupting the neuromuscular junction. The eel’s strategy depends on the recently discovered ability of eels to activate prey motor neuron efferents with high-voltage pulses. Usually, eels use high voltage to cause brief, whole-body tetanus, thus preventing escape while swallowing prey whole. However, when eels struggle with large prey, or with prey held precariously, they often curl to bring their tail to the opposite side. This more than doubles the strength of the electric field within shocked prey, ensuring maximal stimulation of motor neuron efferents. Eels then deliver repeated volleys of high-voltage pulses at a rate of approximately 100 Hz. This causes muscle fatigue that attenuates prey movement, thus preventing both escape and defense while the eel manipulates and swallows the helpless animal. Presumably, the evolution of enough electrical power to remotely activate ion channels in prey efferents sets the stage for the selection of eel behaviors that functionally “poison” prey muscles.
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Verçoza G, Shibuya A, Bastos DA, Zuanon J, Rapp Py-Daniel LH. Organization of the cephalic lateral-line canals in Electrophorus varii de Santana, Wosiacki, Crampton, Sabaj, Dillman, Mendes-Júnior & Castro e Castro, 2019 (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae). NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Electrophorus spp. generate high-voltage electric discharges for defense and hunting, and low-voltage electric discharges (as other Gymnotiformes) for electrolocation and communication. Despite intense interest in the unusual electrogenic and electroreceptive capacities of electric eels, the other sensory systems of Electrophorus spp. are relatively poorly known. Here we describe the ontogenetic development and organization of the cephalic lateral-line canals in the lowland electric eel, Electrophorus varii. Preserved specimens of larvae, juveniles, and adults were examined to describe the spatial distribution of the canals and pores. Ontogenetic shifts of the cephalic lateral line formation were observed for each canal and support a hypothesis of non-synchronized development. The morphogenesis of cephalic canals in larvae and juveniles begins just before the onset of exogenous feeding. In adults, the cephalic sensory canals are formed separately from the skull and overlay cranial and mandibular bones and muscles. This study provides the first detailed description of the development and organization of the cephalic lateral-line system in Electrophorus varii.
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Hayes AJ, Melrose J. Electro‐Stimulation, a Promising Therapeutic Treatment Modality for Tissue Repair: Emerging Roles of Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans as Electro‐Regulatory Mediators of Intrinsic Repair Processes. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Hayes
- Bioimaging Research Hub Cardiff School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff Wales CF10 3AX UK
| | - James Melrose
- Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratory Kolling Institute Northern Sydney Local Health District Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital St. Leonards NSW 2065 Australia
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
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Mendes-Júnior RNG, Sá-Oliveira JC, Vasconcelos HCG, Costa-Campos CE, Araújo AS. Feeding ecology of electric eel Electrophorus varii (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae) in the Curiaú River Basin, Eastern Amazon. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2019-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT In this study, the composition of the diet and the feeding activity of Electrophorus varii were evaluated. The influence of ontogeny and seasonality in these feeding parameters was also examined. Fish were collected in the Curiaú River Basin, Amazon, Brazil, from March 2005 to February 2006, during the rainy (January-June) and dry (July-December) seasons. Diet composition was characterized based on the analysis of stomach contents and feeding dynamics was assessed based on the Stomach Fullness Index (IR) calculated using stomach weight. Stomach content and RI data were grouped into four-cm size classes (40-80, 80-120, 120-160, and 160-200) and two seasonal periods (rainy and dry). The influence of ontogeny and seasonality in the diet was investigated through PERMANOVA, and in the food dynamics through ANOVA. The analysis of stomach contents revealed that fish were the most consumed preys by electric eels, especially Callichthyidae and Cichlidae. Diet composition and RI values of electric eels were not influenced by ontogeny and seasonality. Electric eels are fish predators, regardless of size class and seasonal period.
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