We were discussing earlier that freshwater systems are among the most ecologically diverse places on Earth. New species are still being discovered all the time. This report of a new species of electric knifefish comes from the Mazaruni river in Guyana, S. America. "....Like other electric knifefish, Akawaio penak has a long organ running along the base of the body that produces an electric field. The electric field is too weak to stun prey but is instead used to navigate, detect objects, and communicate with other electric fish. This trait is advantageous given the murky habitats of the fish. The species is named in honor of the Akawaio Amerindians that populate the upper Mazaruni. The region, however, is increasingly suffering from freshwater habitat degradation as a consequence of gold mining in the area...."
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 06:52:41 +0000
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