Skip to main content
Log in

A new method for the simulation of electric fields, generated by electric fish, and their distorsions by objects

  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Among the many species of fishes endowed with electric organs Mormyriformes and Gymnotoidei are known to emit and receive electric signals for the purposes of intraspecific communication and recognition of objects. Models which have been proposed for this electro-sensory system generally assume steady-state conditions. On the other hand, the very character of the signals itself and the idea that the cerebellum might be working as a clock point to the importance of the signal dynamics. Therefore a new approach to the simulation of electric fields is described in the paper. The basic idea is to superpose the fields of point charges in a way that the sum is in accordance with the fish's electric field. The same technique could be used to simulate the influence of objects on the electric field. Following a suggestion of Dr. E. Kasper I used a simpler but equal effective approach for object simulation consisting in the use of a dipole instead of point charges. The model described is easily applied to diverse situations and allows one to estimate the influence of various parameters (size, shape, and position) on the “electric image” of an object. Furthermore, the well-known behaviour of tailbending and its consequences in object recognition can be simulated. The results underline the importance of signal dynamics for species with pulse-type discharges.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bastian, J.: Electrosensory input to the corpus cerebelli of the high frequency electric fish eigenmannia virescens. J. Comp. Physiol. 90, 1–24 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bastian, J., Heiligenberg, W.: Phase-sensitive midbrain neurons in eigenmannia: neural correlates of the Jamming avoidance response. Science 209, 828–831 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beleites, G.: Hautsinnesorgane von Gymnarchus und Electrophorus. Submitted by Harder, W., University of Tübingen (1980)

  • Bennett, M.V.L.: Comparative physiology: electric organs. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 32, 471–528 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.V.L., Steinbach, A.B.: Influence of electric organ control system on electrosensory afferent pathways in mormyrids. In: Neurobiology of cerebral evolution and development, pp. 207–214. Llinas, R.P. (ed.) Chicago: American Medical Association 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Braitenberg, V.: Gehirngespinste. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Harder, W.: Die Beziehungen zwischen Elektrorezeptoren, elektrischem Organ, Seitenlinienorganen und Nervensystem bei den Mormyridae (Teleostei. Pisces). Z. Vergl. Physiol. 59, 272–318 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harder, W.: Personal communication (1980)

  • Heiligenberg, W.: Theoretical and experimental approaches to spatial aspects of electrolocation. J. Comp. Physiol. 103, 247–272 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heiligenberg, W.: Principles of electrolocation and Jamming avoidance in electric fish. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, C.D.: The neuroethology of electric communication. TINS 31, 4–6 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoshimiya, N., Shogen, K., Matsuo, T., Chichibu, S.: The apteronotus EOD field: waveform and EOD simulation. J. Comp. Physiol. 135, 283–290 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasper, E.: Personal communication (1981)

  • Knudsen, E.I.: Spatial aspects of the electric fields generated by weakly electric fish. J. Comp. Physiol. 99, 103–118 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupfmüller, K.: Einführung in die theoretische Elektrotechnik. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J.H.: Behavioral responses of weakly electric fish to complex impedances. J. Comp. Physiol. 145, 459–470 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwenhuys, R., Nicholsen, C.: A survey of the general morphology, the fiber connections and the possible functional significance of the giganto-cerebellum of mormyrid fishes. In: Neurobiology of cerebral evolution and development, pp. 107–134. Llinas, R.P. (ed.). Chicago: American Medical Association 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheich, H., Bullock, T.H.: The detection of electric fields from electric organs. In: Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. III/3, pp. 201–256. Fessard, A. (ed.). Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, T.: Elektrische Sinne. Grzimeks Tierleben, Sonderband Verhaltensforschung, pp. 131–137. Zürich: Kindler 1974

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bacher, M. A new method for the simulation of electric fields, generated by electric fish, and their distorsions by objects. Biol. Cybern. 47, 51–58 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340069

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340069

Keywords

Navigation