Doc 0000173502

'j) - ·~ - ll ~ .,• ]' . ' n INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRIC FISHES . -~- - -.... ~. ~, n I / n: . l -- l l -- ........ --- ........ . -----.-·~--. ---~- E li .tI' l \ ------------- ______ .. 28 February 1973 - CONTENTS ., • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1o INTRODUCTION 1 o • o • o o o o • o •• . . . . . . . . . . . . 2o TECH!\'T!CAL DISCUSSION •.•••• 2 . . . . . . . . 3o STATE1vl~NT OF WORK o o o • o ••• o ••• o • 5 . . . . . . . . 4o PRICE AND CONTRACTUAL lliFOR!vlATION 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 5. PERSONNEL •••• o • o o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 REFERENCES o••••o• ii "" -·--··- --~ --·. ------ .... -.. -~~ --- ~----~·------------ ------------· ~----- ----------- ·~-- -------~----------- ---- --. ------·-··-· ,1)' 1. INTRODUCTION • ' In a previous proposal, it was stated that the relationship between electroreceptors in the pattern recognition process of electric fish would be studied. In a 11idterm Report of September 1972, the phasic tuberous asynchronic electroreceptors and the synchronous tonic ampullary electro receptors of the ·sternarchus albifrons, a freshwater South American weak electric fish were described. The tonic asynchronous ampullary electro receptors of the same fish species were described previously. Measure ments were made and reported. The studies on Gymnarchus niloticus, a freshwater African weak electric fish, were continued, as were studies of the effect of different anaesthetics on the electrical activity of electric fishes. The effect of D tubocurarine and the countereffect of neostigmine on Sternarchus albifrons were also assessed: Three mormyrids (Gnathonemus petersii) were obtained, a fresh water African weak electric fish supposed to be the most intelligent fish (sic). The brain/body weight-ratio is close to that of human beings. Pre viously, one fish of this species was trained to jump through a circle over the water in order to get its food. Studies of the electric activity of these fishes will yield added information on pattern recognition ability of The image features a stylized graphic of a bank vault door on the left, with a glowing blue light emanating from behind it. To the right of the vault, large, stylized white text reads "THE BLACK VAULT". Below this, white text describes that the document was obtained from "The Black Vault," an online database of declassified government documents, specifically the "MKULTRA/Mind Control Collection," housing over 20,000 pages declassified by the CIA. The text concludes with a yellow hyperlink directing the viewer to "http://mkultra.theblackvault.com" for free download and online access. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, stamps, forms, diagrams, tables, or redactions visible on this page. The brain/body weight-ratio is close to that of human beings. Pre viously, one fish of this species was trained to jump through a circle over the water in order to get its food. Studies of the electric activity of these fishes will yield added information on pattern recognition ability of electric fishes. Based upon data generated by these studies, we now propose to generate design and test concepts for physical analogs of the electroreceptors of electric fish to be used in subsequent st:udies of underwater object detection, identification, and position. These sensor analog simulation tests will be planned to be performed in a plastic water tank of 18 feet diamet~r . . -----·----·------ - . . .... -·------ ---······· - 1 2. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION . 'f From previous and ongoing investigations, it was determined that Sternarchus albifrons, a South American freshwater high-frequency weak electric fish, has three kinds of electroreceptors: 1. synchronous tonic ampullary electric sensors 2. asynchronous tonic ampullary electric sensors 3. asynchronous phasic tuberous electric sensors Microelectrode recordings were made from these receptors. The fish was anaesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate (Finquel "Ayerst") and cura rized with D-tubocurarine. Subsequently, neostigmine was used to counter act the long-term effect of curare. A search for an anaesthetic that will not affect the frequency and amplitude of the electric signals emitted by electric fish has been made. This study is in progress and preliminary results indicate that thiopental sodium may not affect the electric signal of I Sternarchus albifrons. Both ampullary and tuberous electric are s~_nsors autorhythmic. Two out of three kin:ls of electric sensors act independently of the main electric organ. T[lis means that we deal with three transmitting systems: a main organ and two secondary represented by the autorhythmic activity. There are also three kinds of electroreceptors, two of which are transmitters and receptors at the same time, and each of them may have some finer subdivisions with regard to sensitivity, amplitude, frequency, latency and habituation. · These electroreceoptors are part of the "lateralis system" of the fish and the other organs related to this system like the lateral line receptors and the free neuromasts are certainly playing an important role in pattern recognition. 2 7 The difference between the lateral line sensory receptors and free neuromasts is that the first ones arc connected to a common lateral line the last ones not. \Vith all the research devoted to both The page appears to be the cover page of a document titled "INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRIC FISHES" with a date of "28 February 1973." There are several "1" characters aligned vertically on the left margin, possibly indicating a page numbering or section marker. A handwritten annotation "248" is circled in the bottom right corner, likely a page number. There is a large rectangular box in the upper center area containing the title and some faint dotted lines or text, and an incomplete larger rectangular border in the lower center. No photographs, diagrams, forms, or other classified markings are visible. This document page contains a table of contents with numbered entries and corresponding page numbers. There are no images, handwritten annotations, stamps, forms, diagrams, or tables. The page is clean and shows no visual evidence of experimental procedures or redacted content. receptors and the free neuromasts are certainly playing an important role in pattern recognition. 2 7 The difference between the lateral line sensory receptors and free neuromasts is that the first ones arc connected to a common lateral line the last ones not. \Vith all the research devoted to both of these cana~"and sensory receptors, the difference in the role of the. one or the other kind· of sensory receptor has not been clari!ied. However, both sensors are related to water displacement,· the fish's movement, schooling be O\'m havior, and of objects or enemies. avoidan~e The electric fish's other "lateralis system" sensory organs that the electric orgap..s have not received too much attention. .. · --~~ . . .. . \ demonstrated that on one and the same elasmobranch, . · Negaprion brevirostris, (Lemon shark), two kinds of ami:mllary sensory organs exist: one that is sensitiv& to water displacement, and another one that is sensitive to electric stimuli. Anatomically they looked very much the same, but not biochemically. This indicates the complexity of the sensory system of certain fishes to provide the required functions required for navigation, location of prey, identification of enemies, social interaction in the same species, and communication. Gymnarchus niloticus, an African freshwater medium-frequency weak electric fish, has one type of electric sensors and two ~mpullary tuberous types of electric sensors. These electric sensors have to be in vestigated in relation to their autorhythmicity and their role in navigation and object location. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of Gymnarchus niloticus to communicate with men1bers of their species. sam~ Gnathonemus petersii, an African freshwater low-frequency mor myrid electric fish, can be obtained and study is planned after the usual stabilization stage. by Agalides and others of electric fish sensory Studi~s systems as cited above provided a basis for describing the physical analogs ---------- ---- 3 7i '-,· ... of tonic ampullary and of phasic tuberous elcctroreceptors c1c_c~J.roreceptors in a mi<., ilterm report. ~ .Continuation of this work can establish physical analogs for other elcctrorcceptors and sensory receptors of the "lateralis of electric fishes. sy~tem" Microelectrode recordings, histology, light microscopy: electro microscopy, and electronmicroscopy can be used to clarify the scannin~ ' . establishment of .th e p.hysical analogs . Some studies on t·h·e- s-e-ns-it-iv-i-ty- t-h-re-s-ho-l-d of electric f-i-s--h-e--s·- to electric .--. stimuli were made by This proposed study intends to extend this work. An extensive study of light microscopy: electro microscopy, and electronmicroscopy can be used to clarify the scannin~ ' . establishment of .th e p.hysical analogs . Some studies on t·h·e- s-e-ns-it-iv-i-ty- t-h-re-s-ho-l-d of electric f-i-s--h-e--s·- to electric .--. stimuli were made by This proposed study intends to extend this work. An extensive study of the sensitivity of different species of electric fishes to electric stimuli in the presence of noise and \vithout noise will be made to find out which of the different types of sensory systems of the different species is most ef fective in locating and identifying objects underwater. . For these experiments, we will use an instrumented pool facility. The distance at which an electric fish can identify moving and stationary objects and to communicate with specimens of its own species can be de ducted from the distance, the composition and size of the objects presented to the subject and of the distance of back-playing electrodes and the applied attenuation to the signal. By adding specific kinds and amplitudes of noise, we will be able to find out how well the fish can extract the signal from noise. Having all of the previously mentioned data, we can proceed to the establishment of an underwater pattern recognition diagram. The established physical analogs of electric sensors and cross correlation will be proposed as a means for identifying objects. . . ------·--- ------c--,-....:.rz.. ...... --..:.. ... -,-·------·· ~- 4 ,, - 3. STATEMENT OF WORK • ----- T ' Twill provide the personnel, services and material necessary to conduct an investigation of electric fishes. The tasks for Phase I and Phase II will be performed · as outlined below. PHASE I·. 1. Investigate the ability of freshwater electric fishes to recognize patterns under water and how effectively they can differentiate between different parameters when navigating. It is proposed to use three or four of the following kinds of freshwater weak electric fishes: a. Sternarchus albifrons, high signal rate electric fish with its frequency influenced only by change in the tank water temperature; region of origin -subtropical, tropical and equatorial South America. b. Gymnarchus niloticus, medium fixed signal rate electric fish with its frequency not influenced by change of tank water temperature; region of origin - subtropical, tropical, and equatorial Africa. c. Gymnotus carapo, variable medium signal rate electric fish, region of origin - subtropical, tropical, and equatorial South America. d. Gnathonemus petersii, a variable The page contains typed text, a heading "1. INTRODUCTION", and a single digit "1" at the bottom, indicating it's page one of the document. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, official stamps, forms, diagrams, tables, redactions, or visual evidence of experimental procedures. The visual content is limited to the printed text itself. The document is a typed page from a scientific report, discussing electroreceptors in fish. There are no photographs, diagrams, stamps, or handwritten annotations. The page is numbered "2" at the bottom center. There are a few small, dark dots scattered throughout the text that could be ink blemishes or part of the printing process. No redactions or obscured content are visible. The visual content is limited to the typed text and the page number, offering no additional visual information beyond the written words themselves. medium fixed signal rate electric fish with its frequency not influenced by change of tank water temperature; region of origin - subtropical, tropical, and equatorial Africa. c. Gymnotus carapo, variable medium signal rate electric fish, region of origin - subtropical, tropical, and equatorial South America. d. Gnathonemus petersii, a variable low signal rate electric fish of the mormyridae family; region of origin - sub tropical, tropical, and equatorial Africa. 2. Microelectrode recording, histology, light microscopy, electro microscopy and scanning electromicroscopy will be used as ne cessary to elucidate and establish the interrelation of electric receptors. 3. Report. A report of the six months' study will be submitted at the end of Phase I. 5 - J). PHASE II ,.. 1. The threshold of electric signal stimuli eliciting a behavioral response in electric fishes will be investigated for: a. fishe 's own signal recorded on magnetic tape and played back and attenuated. b. san1e species but another subject fish's electric signal recorded on magnetic tape, played back and attenuated . . c. sinusoidal electric signal with same repetition rate as the fish's own signal or slightly changed and attenuated .... d. signals as in {1) and (2) but with a noise source like . gaussian noise and varying amplitude will be added through another pair of electrodes in the same water ~nk. These e:h-periments will be carried out in a special round tank of 18 feet diameter by 2 feet high and placed in a special tank facility. 2. From all these results, the distance will be calculated at which an electric fish could detect its own or another electric signal considering the attenuation, the distortion of the signal in water, and eventually the added noise. 3. Physical analogs will be established for some of the electro receptors, displacement receptors, and other lateral line type of receptors. 4. A diagran1 for an underwater pattern recognition silnulation of the electric fish's electric sensors system, using their physical analogs and a special cross -correlation data pro cessing, will be submitted. A special instrun1ented under water pool facility and computer simulating equipment will be considered for use for this proposition. 5. Reports. Financial monthly reports will be A sub~itted. final report will be furnished one year after contract award. The schedule for the proposed research is outlined in Fig. 5 \vith the estimated time for carrying out each phase •. 6 --------~---- .. CALENDAR The image is a scanned page of text from a document. There are no photographs, diagrams, or any visual representations of people, locations, equipment, or experimental procedures. The page contains only typed text, with some handwritten marks in the margins that appear to be annotations or corrections. There are no official stamps or forms visible. There are no redactions or obscured content on this page. considered for use for this proposition. 5. Reports. Financial monthly reports will be A sub~itted. final report will be furnished one year after contract award. The schedule for the proposed research is outlined in Fig. 5 \vith the estimated time for carrying out each phase •. 6 --------~---- .. CALENDAR MONTHS I ' TASK 1 2 3 -4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 .... .1.. Investigate pattern recognition ability and Q navigation ability of three or four different electric fish species • ...... <- - ( ~ /) 2. Investigate the interrelation of electric u .. u receptors. '~ ~ v 3. Report - - 1. Establish the threshold of electric s:timuli u 1:7 eliciting a behavioral response in electric ...q fish under different conditions. . 2. Establish the distance at which electric 7 1:7 signals can be detected by electric fish • ...... ...... v· t:l 3. Establish physical analogs of the electric 'i/ (/) :-5i receptors. I ' ~ p.. 4. Design a diagram for an underwater simu- u 1:7 lation of tho fish's electrosonsory system. ! i i l 5. Final report 'i/ ~ I \ ! -·· I l ! Fig. 5. Program Schedule. 0 f) 4. PRICE AND CONTRACTUAL lliFOR11A TION .; -----,suggests that the proposed program be conducted over a one-year period under a cost-plus fixed-fee contract. . . The estimated costs for this program are shown at the end of this section. The labor costs _used in this proposal are based upon the current average rate of the level of personnel eA-pected to be employed in the pro posed effort. No premimn for direct overtime expense has been included in this proposal. The overhead rate used in thisJ pr oposal is provisional and con- sists of all-- . . .. -- ...... indiFect costs and is adjuste~ for assume_d unallowable costs. Overhead rates will be adjusted at the end of the fiscal year ·- ... ·-·-·-·-··· ···. --~----_--·-1 to actual costs excluding clisallowables, as determined by Government audit. -. -···· -\is unde~ th~ audit ~ognizanceof the_\ Defense Contract Audit Agenc_y, _\ --- ---·------ ·- ~ Unless previously withdrawn in writing, this proposal will remain valid for ninety days from the date on the cover. 8 - . '' i ' 0 . ESTTh1ATED COST FOR A T\VELVE-IY10NTH PROGRAM . ., Man-Hours PERSONNEL COSTS . $ Scientist 41 1210 Scientist 23 _\ --- ---·------ ·- ~ Unless previously withdrawn in writing, this proposal will remain valid for ninety days from the date on the cover. 8 - . '' i ' 0 . ESTTh1ATED COST FOR A T\VELVE-IY10NTH PROGRAM . ., Man-Hours PERSONNEL COSTS . $ Scientist 41 1210 Scientist 23 · 40 Scientist 12 100 Technical Typist 96 OVERHEAD@ -_--.... ") FRL.~GE BENEFITS@-----~} TRAVEL: Phase I Phase II . MATERIALS: Phase I Phase II TOTAL DIRECT COST & OVERHEAD $ GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE @ - ] TOTAL ESTI:rvrA TED COST $· FIXED FEE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST PLUS FIXED FEE $- - .... ___________ _ ·-- .... - 9 - 5. PERSONNEL • ' .. .-· 10 The page contains typed text on a white background, with some small, dark marks that may be ink blots or dust. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, official stamps, forms, diagrams, or tables. There is a page number "4" at the bottom center. No visual evidence of experimental procedures, equipment, or facilities is present. This document page contains typed text that outlines a research project titled "STATEMENT OF WORK." The text details tasks for Phase I of an investigation into the abilities of freshwater electric fishes. There are no images, handwritten annotations, stamps, forms, diagrams, or redactions present on this page. The visual content is solely the typed text, which is organized into numbered and lettered points. The document is a typed page, appearing to be part of a research proposal or report. It is visually unremarkable, lacking photographs, signatures, stamps, or forms. The content is structured into numbered and lettered points, outlining experimental phases and objectives related to electric fish and their sensory systems. There are no visible redactions or obscured content, nor any visual evidence of experimental procedures or facilities. The page includes a page number "6" at the bottom center. While the content is textual, the formatting and numbering suggest a structured scientific or technical document. The page contains a program schedule presented as a table. The table has columns for "TASK" and "CALENDAR MONTHS" across twelve months. The tasks are divided into "PHASE I" and "PHASE II," with specific numbered activities listed under each phase. A timeline is visually depicted within the "CALENDAR MONTHS" columns using horizontal lines and triangular markers, indicating the duration and timing of each task. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, official stamps, forms with filled-in fields, or visual evidence of experimental procedures or facilities. The content is purely informational, outlining a project schedule. This page contains text from a typed document, with some handwritten annotations and marks. The document title, "PRICE AND CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION," is clearly visible. There are bracketed annotations indicating where text might have been omitted or is subject to interpretation, as well as lines pointing to specific phrases. A stamp-like marking and a handwritten number "8" appear on the bottom right. The text discusses program costs, personnel rates, and overhead adjustments, with indications that this information is subject to government audits. This page appears to be a cost breakdown for a twelve-month program, likely related to a research or project endeavor. It presents structured data in a table format, listing personnel costs with different scientist roles and quantities of "Man-Hours." Additionally, it includes line items for overhead, fringe benefits, travel, materials, and general administrative expenses, all associated with different project phases. The document also contains symbols that appear to be placeholders for monetary values, indicated by dollar signs. While no photographs or diagrams are present, the page's layout suggests a formal accounting or budgeting document. This page displays textual content at the top, specifically "5. PERSONNEL". There are some faint handwritten marks or smudges visible in the upper right and left corners, as well as throughout the document. A page number, "10", is present in the bottom right corner. The rest of the page is predominantly white with scattered dark speckles, likely artifacts from the original document or scanning process. There are no photographs, diagrams, stamps, or other forms of visual content present.