common torpedo common torpedo torpedo eyed electric ray torpedo torpedo species electric ray family found mediterranean_sea benthic fish typically encountered soft fairly shallow coastal waters growing long species nearly circular pectoral fin disc short thick tail dorsal fins nearly equal size large caudal fin identified prominent blue spots usually number vary zero small attack defense common torpedo deliver strong electric shock volts solitary nocturnal ambush predator feeds mainly bony fishes crustaceans species viviparous developing embryos yolk milk produced mother females produce litters young year late summer autumn gestation period months vary geographical regions common torpedo shock painful little danger humans properties led medicine ancient greeks romans modern times economic value discarded caught fisheries impact fishing population uncertain pending data listed taxonomy common torpedo electric rays familiar peoples classical antiquity torpedo roman electric rays derived latin meaning known father taxonomy scientifically described common torpedo torpedo tenth edition common torpedo appeared pre sources names torpedo torpedo early accounts including common torpedo electric ray species indicate type specimens designation interest taxonomic stability measure taken author refer torpedo genus classification des torpedo species author probably assigned torpedo genus torpedo time torpedo member genus type species genus torpedo common torpedo placed subgenus torpedo differs subgenus having ornate dorsal coloration species referred colloquially ray torpedo ray distribution habitat native common torpedo occurs including mediterranean_sea single record belgian waters likely erroneous european waters encountered frequently electric ray species species prefers warmer temperatures rare north mediterranean mediterranean common north_africa southern europe common torpedo usually found close shore depths occasionally reported deep inhabits soft habitats sandy flats beds description pectoral fin disc common torpedo circular shape times wider long margin disc nearly straight large kidney shaped electric organs visible beneath skin head eyes small followed comparable size lateral posterior bear small low diminish size age larger individuals pair prominent pores wide skin nostrils reaches mouth teeth small arranged dense pattern tooth single sharp tooth rows upper lower jaws respectively pairs gill slits placed underside disc pelvic fins distinct disc rounded outer margins short thick tail bears skin dorsal fins dorsal fin slightly larger second developed caudal fin triangular blunt corners approximately long space dorsal fin skin smooth soft entirely lacking dermal denticles dorsal coloration common torpedo light dark brown distinctive large spots disc blue encircled darker lighter rings typically arranged row rays common unusual male caught tunisia southern france present sixth similarly sized positioned center additional tend smaller placed snout underside cream colored dark disc margins adult female captured tunisia males females typically measure long respectively largest individual record long rays west_africa grow larger mediterranean biology ecology members family common torpedo subdue prey deter threats strong electric generated pair large electric organs derived muscle tissue organ columns column stack filled columns essentially act batteries connected parallel discharge electric organs reach volts occur singly bursts trains experiments found nerves electric organ essentially stop functioning temperatures winter water temperatures regularly drop threshold wild suggesting ray use electric organs year unknown mechanism adapt electric organ function colder conditions solitary nocturnal common torpedo spends time resting sea floor buried sediment ambush predator prey electricity process taking fraction second prey manipulated mouth motions disc adults feed entirely small benthic bony fishes including herring jack large crustaceans minor secondary food source rarely consumed juveniles exclusively adults feed variety invertebrates significant prey species differ seasons geographic regions example juvenile common sole far important prey item autumn winter spring summer available fishes figure prominently ray diet known parasites species include life history common torpedo viviparous embryos sustained yolk supplemented milk mother organic content species lower embryo loses mass course development initial yolk supply expended processes adult females functional functional reproductive tract right developed consequently tends carry embryos annual reproductive cycle defined details differ geographic regions mediterranean mating occurs december february late august early september gestation period months litter sizes range measure long contrast west_africa gestation period lasts months occurs september october litter sizes range measure long litter size increases female size sexual segregation occurs breeding season pregnant females shallow coastal waters common torpedo unusual sharks rays documented higher lower immediately birth species capable producing electric volts grow rapidly increase capacity months double weight generate volts males females mature sexually similar lengths respectively respectively egypt tunisia respectively human interactions electric shock common torpedo severe life threatening classical antiquity properties species led strongly electric fishes medicine treatment pain diseases example roman physician recommended chronic treated application live torpedo affected area common torpedo edible little valued commercial fisheries discarded caught shallow water habits survive captured discarded relatively susceptible types fishing gear including nets fishing activity heavy range specific data species available result listed common torpedo kept requires live fish food
Common torpedo