The ongoing problem with global warming has a direct impact on these creatures beyond just the literal warming of the ocean. For instance, the ice caps melting reduces ocean salinity which changes the electrical conductivity of the water. This academic panel presentation will analyze a lesser-known organ found in cartilaginous and basal bony fish; an extension of the lateral line system called the ampullae of Lorenzini. This is a sensory organ that fish such as sharks and rays use to detect electrical fields in water. Great White Sharks are so sensitive to electric fields that they are known to react to charges of one millionth of a volt in water. With that kind of sensitivity to small changes and the environmental damage being done on a macro scale, it could lead to ecological ruin. In this sense, humanity has reached a global crossroads in terms of how it proceeds with scientific findings of this nature.

This presentation, part of the Natural and Physical Sciences disciple area, will pose the question: Can a better understanding of the ampullae of Lorenzini, how it’s affected and how it’s used, show us the state of marine and freshwater environmental health? I will briefly discuss its evolutionary place in our oceans and its discovery by Italian ichthyologist, Stefano Lorenzini. Then, the role of the ampullae of Lorenzini in hunting and mating will be discussed. Overall, this research encourages us to consider a seemingly minor finding within the context of environmental sustainability, with the goal of safeguarding our fragile ecosystem for future generations.