'Seeing' through the chin
Elephantnose fish distinguish shapes in the dark with their electric-sensing chin.
The elephantnose fish, which finds its way at night using an electrical version of sonar, has sharp enough senses to assess the shape and size of objects in its tank in the dark, researchers have found. The fish can even identify shapes when they are present as simple wire frames rather than solid objects.
Comments
Elephnt Nose have been taught to accelerate their electical discharge rate in anticipation of shock and to avoid shock Published in Science and Animal Behavior. I can email reprints. FM
Posted by: Frank J. Mandriota | August 25, 2007 12:17 PM
They say the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Before going into this study, did anyone check whether or not this fish (or any, for that matter) can see in IR?
Posted by: Dave Smith _ AU | August 28, 2007 11:08 AM
Concerning IR vision: Yes, we and others before us have tested whether G. petersii can see IR. They can not (and also no UV).
Posted by: Gerhard von der Emde | August 28, 2007 04:40 PM