Torpedo: Electric ray
Classification Torpedo: Electric ray:
Phylum: Chordata
Group: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Division: Gnathostomata
Superclass: Pisces
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Selachii
Order: Hypotremata
Family: Torpidinidae
Genus: Torpedo (Electric ray)
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| Life of Torpedo: Electric ray |
Geographical distribution of Life of Torpedo: Electric ray:
Torpedo has been reported from the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, Red Sea, Pacific Ocean, East Indies, Tasmania, China, Japan, South Africa, North and
South America as well as Australia. Upper Jurassic to Recent.
Habit and habitat Torpedo: Electric ray
Torpedo or Astrape is a marine carnivorous fish, found on the flat, sandy, or muddy bottom at a depth of 80-100 meters. It is carnivorous and viviparous producing young ova.
Comments on Electric Ray
(1) Commonly known as an Electric ray because of the presence of a pair of electric organs, one on either side of the body between the head and the pectoral fins.
(2) Body is divided into an anterior semicircular disk supported by an endoskeleton and a posterior tail. Fish measures 60 to 90 cm across the widest part of the disk and the whole body has a brown background that is ornamented with beautiful irregularly shaped, magenta-colored spirals and spots.
(3) Semicircular region is supported by the branched prenasal rostrum and laterally by branched pre-orbital cartilages. Branches radiate towards the periphery.
(4) Disk is bordered by pectoral fins.
(5) Skin smooth, non-tuberculate, and without scales.
(6) Eyes and spiracles are closely placed above electric organs dorsally.
(7) Mouth is transverse and ventrally situated.
(8) The tail is thick and short with 1 dorsal fin, 2nd dorsal fin, and caudal fin. Pelvic fins are just beneath the lower margin of the pectoral fin.
Special features of Torpedo: Electric ray
(i) The torpedo contains a pair of large electric organs between the margins of the pectoral fins and head. These organs are considered modifications of the adductor mandibulate and constrictor muscles and are supplied by the vagus and trigeminal nerves from the vagus and trigeminal nerves from the electric lobe of the medulla,
(ii) Each electric organ is composed of hexagonal cells called electroplates which are filled with a jelly-like fluid and arranged vertically like prisms between upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface corresponds to the anode and the lower surface with the cathode. Thus, an electric current of 50 to 60 volts passes from the upper positive to the lower negative surface. After the fish has discharged electricity, some rest is required for further discharge. These are offensive and defensive organs and fishermen get electric shocks from captured electric rays.
Identification of Torpedo: Electric ray
Since this fish has 2 bulging electric organs and the above features, hence it is a Torpedo.
MCQs on Torpedo: Electric ray
Q. What is the common name given to this fish?
a) Electric ray
b) Torpedo
c) Spiral-spot fish
d) Magenta-ray
Answer: a) Electric ray
Q. What is the color of the body of this fish?
a) Brown
b) Blue
c) Green
d) Yellow
Answer: a) Brown
Q. How are the electric organs positioned in the fish's body?
a) Above the eyes
b) Between the pectoral fins and head
c) Along the tail
d) Underneath the spiracles
Answer: b) Between the pectoral fins and head
Q. Which region of the fish's body is supported by branched prenasal rostrum and pre-orbital cartilages?
a) Disk
b) Tail
c) Spiracles
d) Eyes
Answer: a) Disk
Q. What is the texture of the fish's skin?
a) Smooth and non-tuberculate
b) Rough and scaly
c) Bumpy and slimy
d) Spiky and armored
Answer: a) Smooth and non-tuberculate
Q. Where are the eyes and spiracles located in relation to the electric organs?
a) Below the electric organs
b) Closely placed above the electric organs dorsally
c) On the sides of the electric organs
d) Behind the electric organs
Answer: b) Closely placed above the electric organs dorsally
Q. Where is the mouth located in this fish?
a) Dorsally
b) Laterally
c) Ventrally
d) Anteriorly
Answer: c) Ventrally
Q. How many dorsal fins does this fish have?
a) None
b) One
c) Two
d) Three
Answer: c) Two
Q. What are the special features of this fish?
a) Large eyes and spiracles
b) Pectoral fins surrounding the disk
c) Branched prenasal rostrum and pre-orbital cartilage
d) Large electric organs and hexagonal electroplates
Answer: d) Large electric organs and hexagonal electroplates
Q. How is the electric current transmitted through the electric organs?
a) Through blood vessels
b) Through nerve fibers
c) Through hexagonal electroplates
d) Through specialized skin cells
Answer: c) Through hexagonal electroplates
Q. What is the purpose of the electric organs in this fish?
a) To aid in digestion
b) To produce light for camouflage
c) To generate electric shocks for defense and offense
d) To enhance swimming speed
Answer: c) To generate electric shocks for defense and offense
Q. How much voltage does the electric current in this fish typically have?
a) 10 to 20 volts
b) 30 to 40 volts
c) 50 to 60 volts
d) 70 to 80 volts
Answer: c) 50 to 60 volts
Q. What happens to the fish after it discharges electricity?
a) It becomes immobile for a short period
b) It loses its ability to generate further electricity
c) It requires rest before further discharge
d) It becomes temporarily blind
Answer: c) It requires rest before further discharge
Q. Who may experience electric shocks from captured electric rays?
a) Fishermen
b) Other electric rays
c) Predators of the electric ray
d) Researchers studying the fish
Answer: a) Fishermen
Q. Based on the given information, what is the identification of this fish?
a) Spiral-spot fish
b) Electric eel
c) Torpedo
d) Electric catfish
Answer: c) Torpedo
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