Pacific electric ray

Taxobox | name = Pacific electric ray
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = In the Channel Islands National Park, California
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Torpediniformes
familia = Torpedinidae
genus = "Torpedo"
species = "T. californica"
binomial = "Torpedo californica"
binomial_authority = Ayres, 1855The Pacific electric ray ("Torpedo californica") is a species of electric ray native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. The range of the species is from British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico, and possibly also other areas of the Pacific.

The ray can reach a total length of 140 cm and a weight of 41 kg. The body is round and gray with small black spots on the dorsal side. The two dorsal fins are located near the tail.

The rays are found in kelp forests and on sandy bottoms, sometimes partially buried in the sand. It feeds on bony fish, primarily herrings and halibut. It can stun prey using electric discharges from its electric organ. The discharges can reach 50 volt at 1 kilowatt [cite journal|title=Modes of operation of electric organs|journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences|date=1961|first=M.V.L.|last=Bennett|volume=94|pages=458–509|doi=10.1111/j.1749-6632.1961.tb35555.x] resulting in 20 amperes ($1\; mathrm\{W\}\; =\; 1\; mathrm\{V\}\; cdot\; 1\; mathrm\{A\}$) [watt] . It is ovoviviparous and reproduces slowly with a doubling time estimated to be between 4.5 and 14 years.

The torpedo rays have been used as model organisms for molecular biology research because of the high natural abundance of some proteins in its electrical organs, notable examples being acetylcholinesterase and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

References

* Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
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