Electric ray

An electric ray is a cartilaginous fish in the order Torpediniformes. Paired electric organs beside its head produce discharges used to stun prey and deter threats.

Electric organ: A specialized tissue that generates electrical discharges through the coordinated activity of electrocytes. Paired organs beside the head produce the ray’s characteristic shocks.
Ray (fish): A flattened cartilaginous fish with enlarged pectoral fins joined to the head. Electric rays are specialized members of the broader ray body plan.
Predation: An interaction in which one organism captures and consumes another. Electric rays use shocks to immobilize prey before swallowing it.
Skate (fish): A cartilaginous fish in the order Rajiformes, generally with a stiff tail and no electric organs. Skates share the flattened ray shape but do not produce electric shocks.
Electrocyte: A modified cell that produces an electrical potential across its membrane. Stacks of these cells combine their small voltages into a discharge.
Torpediniformes: The order of cartilaginous fishes commonly known as electric rays. This order contains the electric rays defined by paired electrical organs.
Defense mechanism: A trait or behavior that reduces an organism’s risk of injury or death. A strong discharge can discourage predators and other threats.
Stingray: A ray with a flexible tail that commonly bears one or more venomous barbs. Stingrays primarily defend themselves with tail spines rather than electric organs.
Action potential: A rapid, temporary reversal of electrical potential across an excitable cell membrane. Nerve signals coordinate electrocytes so their voltages add together.
Chondrichthyes: The vertebrate class comprising sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras. The order Torpediniformes is part of this class.

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