Torpedo (genus)

Torpedo is a genus of rays, commonly known as electric rays, torpedo rays, or torpedoes. They are slow-moving bottom-dwellers capable of generating electricity as a defense and feeding mechanism.

Torpedo
Temporal range: Early Eocene–Recent[1]
Torpedo torpedo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Chondrichthyes
Subclass:
Elasmobranchii
Order:
Torpediniformes
Family:
Torpedinidae
Genus:
Torpedo

Houttuyn, 1764
Type species
Torpedo torpedo

The naval weapon known as the torpedo was named after this genus, whose own name is derived from the Latin word Torpidus meaning "numb" or "paralysed",[2] presumably the sensation one would feel after experiencing the ray's electric shock.

Electricity

The largest species is the Gulf torpedo, Torpedo sinuspersici, which can grow to a weight of 13 kg (29 lb). Electric rays have patches of modified muscle cells called electroplaques that make up an electric organ. These generate an electric gradient, similar to the normal electric potential across most cell membranes, but amplified greatly by its concentration into a very small area. The electricity can be stored in the tissues, which act as a battery. The battery can be discharged in pulses. A ray can emit a shock into the body of a prey animal to stun it and make it easier to capture and eat, or into the body of a predator.

Use in neurobiological research

The torpedo electric organ, being composed of modified muscle cells, has proven highly useful in the neurobiological study of the neuromuscular junction. For example, agrin was first isolated from Torpedo.[3]

Ancient remedy

Scribonius Largus, a first century physician, advised the use of a live torpedo as a headache remedy. He stated, "Headache even if it is chronic and unbearable is taken away and remedied forever by a live torpedo placed under the spot that is in pain."[4] Other indications by the same physician include an application for treating hemorrhoids.

Description

Torpedo rays are flat like other rays, disc-shaped, with caudal fins that vary in length. Their mouths and gill slits are located on their undersides. Males have claspers near the base of the tail. Females are ovoviviparous, meaning they form eggs but do not lay them. The young "hatch" within her body and she bears them live.[1]

Species

There are currently 13 recognized species in this genus:[5]

Two fossil species, T. acarinata Adnet, 2006 and T. pessanti Adnet, 2006, are known from the Eocene of southwestern France.[6]

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References
  1. Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2015). "Torpedinidae" in FishBase. April 2015 version.
  2. Kidd, D.A. (1973). Collins Latin Gem Dictionary. London: Collins. ISBN 0-00-458641-7.
  3. Sanes, J.R. & Litchman, J.W. (1999). "Development of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction". Annual Review of Neuroscience. 22 (1): 389–442. doi:10.1146/annurev.neuro.22.1.389. PMID 10202544.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. Batuman, Elif, Electrified, Adventures in transcranial direct-current stimulation, Annals of the Mind, New Yorker, April 6, 2015
  5. Carvalho, M.R. de. (2015): Torpedinidae. In : Heemstra, P.C., Heemstra, E. & Ebert, D.A. (Eds.), Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean. Vol. 1. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa. In press.
  6. Adnet S (2006). "Nouvelles faunes de Sélaciens (Elasmobranchii, Neoselachii) de l'Eocène moyen des Landes (Sud-Ouest, France)". Palaeo Ichthyologica. 10: 1–128.
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