 Electrophorus voltai, one of two newly discovered electric eel species. (L. Sousa) "How important it is," the poet Mary Oliver has written, "to walk along, not in haste but slowly, looking at everything and calling out. ... Imagination is better than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work." I thought of this quote as I read a study published Tuesday reporting that a type of electric eel that's been known for more than two centuries is actually three distinct species. One of the new species, dubbed Electrophorus voltai, can discharge up to 860 volts of electricity — making it the strongest known bioelectric generator known to science. Smithsonian researcher C. David de Santana made the discovery after spending six years collecting eels in the Amazon basin. Though the creatures looked similar at first glance, DNA analysis revealed important genetic distinctions. Prompted to reexamine the eels more closely, de Santana found subtle but meaningful differences in their skull shape, pectoral fins and the arrangement of pores on their bodies. His work, like so much science, is a testament to the wisdom of Oliver's words. Even the things we think we understand harbor secrets we have yet to discover. Only by looking closely at everything, by paying attention and being willing to imagine other possibilities, do we learn anything new. — Sarah P.S. If you were paying close attention to last week's newsletter, you may have noticed that my byline was accompanied by a photo of my colleague Ben Guarino. Much as I would like to take credit for Ben's brilliant writing, that was a mistake. He wrote the lovely message (and the story that inspired it) about research on highflying geese. |
Email
No comments:
Post a Comment