Lampreys possess electroreceptors distributed across their body surface, yet the only previously documented electric signals in these animals were ventilatory myograms, hypothesized to enable short-range electrolocation. Here, we report the discovery of biphasic, spike-like electric signals in free-swimming lampreys, recorded in both moving and immobile individuals. These signals exhibited amplitudes several dozen times greater than ventilatory signals, with durations approximately half as long. Spike-like pulses were not related to any detectable movements but were tightly linked to specific behavioral contexts. Most were generated upon physical contact with another lamprey or a substrate, with their source consistently located near the point of contact rather than at a fixed position within the body. Signals produced by immobile individuals in response to external stimuli differed significantly from those generated by moving individuals upon contact with a substrate. Our estimates suggest that these signals have sufficient amplitude to actively probe the surroundings, at least within several centimeters of the body.
Electric activity of the adult european river lamprey*
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This study is dedicated to the memory of our colleague, Dr. Andrey A. Orlov.
Ecosystem engineers on tropical reefs in transition
Giant barrel sponges (GSBs) remain robust to rising seawater temperatures and have rapidly populated reefs stripped of coral cover by climate change. GBSs may be poised to become the dominant habitat-forming organisms in tropical reef ecosystems of the future. In this Review, Joseph Pawlik provides an integrative and critical assessment of research on giant barrel sponges.
JEB grants to support junior faculty
Learn about the grants that we launched in 2023 to support junior faculty from two of our awardees: Erin Leonard, Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Visiting Fellowship recipient, and Pauline Fleischmann, Research Partnership Kickstart Travel Grant recipient. The next deadline to apply is 28 November 2025.
Stressed salmon develop hallmarks of depression
Farmed salmon can experience high levels of CO2 and now Marco Vindas and colleagues report that fish which have experienced this form of stress show signs of fishy depression. They hope that understanding this could help farmers improve the fish's quality of life.
Extraordinary creatures: hummingbirds
Doug Altshuler and Ken Welch tell us about the extraordinary lives of hummingbirds, from their ability to hover during flight to their use of nectar as a primary food source.
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