http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2008/04/17/dolphin11a.jpgAn article in Science News talks about a new way that guiana dolphins can sense when and where there are prey. In a dolphins snout there are sensory nerves that can detect electrical currents pulsing in the water. These pulses can be formed from a racing heart beat, moving muscles, and gills. Scientists wanted to examine these nerves more so they took a cross section of the dolphins snout and saw that the nerves resembled the same sensory nerves as whiskers do. Many studies were tested to see the dolphins responses to activating these nerves. It was seen that whenever there was an electric current it would move but if the snout was to be covered to hinder the ability of the nerves, the dolphin would not be able to pick up the current, and the dolphin would stay in one spot. This is a very important evolutionary process to help a species stay on the map and not become extinct.
Many animals find new ways to adapt to their environment. This is an important way to find ways to out smart other animals. This is an interesting discovery because these nerves are similar to whiskers however are inside of the snout and evolved to help dolphins. It is always new discoveries that allow, not only animals but humans, to help see new ways to live within our environment.
It's interesting how sharks have nerves that sense prey and swims toward them as to attack, while dolphins have nerves that sense predators which they swim away from.
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