Some biophysical parameters of the skin of the electric fishTorpedo marmorata

Abstract

The transverse electrical resistance and DC potentials of the electric fishTorpedo marmorata have been measured. The resistance is lower in the skin covering the electric organ than in skin taken from other parts of the body. The external skin surface is electropositive relative to the internal one. On the basis of the results obtained it is probable that electrical discharges are channelled from the body through low resistant pathways; the skin covering the electric organ does not seem to play any specific role in ionic transport occurring in connection with, or as a consequence of, electrical discharges of the fish.