Cited by 587Electromagnetic Fields and Biological EffectsGeomagnetism and Paleomagnetism StudiesAvian ecology and behavior

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Magnetic orientation and magnetoreception in birds and other animals

Wiltschko, Wolfgang, Wiltschko, Roswitha·2005·Journal of Comparative Physiology A

DOI 10.1007/s00359-005-0627-7

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Abstract

Animals use the geomagnetic field in many ways: the magnetic vector provides a compass; magnetic intensity and/or inclination play a role as a component of the navigational 'map', and magnetic conditions of certain regions act as 'sign posts' or triggers, eliciting specific responses. A magnetic compass is widespread among animals, magnetic navigation is indicated e.g. in birds, marine turtles and spiny lobsters and the use of magnetic 'sign posts' has been described for birds and marine turtles. For magnetoreception, two hypotheses are currently discussed, one proposing a chemical compass based on a radical pair mechanism, the other postulating processes involving magnetite particles. The available evidence suggests that birds use both mechanisms, with the radical pair mechanism in the right eye providing directional information and a magnetite-based mechanism in the upper beak providing information on position as component of the 'map'. Behavioral data from other animals indicate a light-dependent compass probably based on a radical pair mechanism in amphibians and a possibly magnetite-based mechanism in mammals. Histological and electrophysiological data suggest a magnetite-based mechanism in the nasal cavities of salmonid fish. Little is known about the parts of the brain where the respective information is processed.

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Background
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Background
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“If magnetic orientation was used in navigation, we would expect to see an innate preference for settling facing a particular direction, which might indicate a role in homing or settling behaviours, as has been found in other organisms which use magnetic navigation (Wiltschko and Wiltschko 2005).”
Result
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terHorst, C. P. (2012) · Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology · doi:10.1080/10236244.2012.665241 · Cited by 6
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Background
Direkte Detektion eines lichtinduzierten Radikalpaars in einem Cryptochrom‐Blaulichtrezeptor
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Background
Apparent sixth sense in theropod evolution: The making of a Cretaceous weathervane
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“Many organisms use the magnetic field of the earth in space and time orientation (Wiltschko and Wiltschko, 2005).”
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Female Crabs Are More Sensitive to Environmentally Relevant Electromagnetic Fields from Submarine Power Cables
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“In birds, magnetite particles were proposed to localize in the beak (inside special neurons), which may drive magnetoreception [52,53].”
Influential
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“However, based on the definition outlined in this paper we would only consider the signpost form of the mosaic map (Lohmann et al., 2001; Wiltschko and Wiltschko, 2005) as true navigation, in which the landmarks are familiar by inheritance rather than by experience.”
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“It is known that animals present some windows of magnetic intensity to present magnetoreceptive behavior [Wiltschko and Wiltschko, 2005].”
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“and Partridge, 1986) is well accepted in other genera, particularly as regard geomagnetically aided navigation (Wiltschko and Wiltschko, 2005).”
Background
Ectosymbionts alter spontaneous responses to the Earth’s magnetic field in a crustacean
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“This ability has been demonstrated in animals such as salmon ( 6 , 7 ), lobsters ( 8 , 9 ), birds ( 10 ), turtles ( 11 , 12 ), and moths ( 5 ).”
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The Geomagnetic Field
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“Hunting red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) appear to use magnetic alignment (MA) to estimate distance to their prey [8]; wolves (Canis lupus) use the magnetic tool as an independent space frame that helps to mark and remember important places and territorial boundaries (magnetic map sense; [12, 13]); provides universal navigat…”
Background
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“However, additional recent research has demonstrated the existence of another system (cid:0) a light-dependent magnetic compass functioning through a radical pair mechanism [35].”
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“Birds and bees can orient their flight using magnetoreception [4], sensing the Earth’s magnetic field.”
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“Magnetic forces are known to affect living cells and animals for a few centuries [8,9].”
Background

Authors: Wiltschko, W., & Wiltschko, R.
Affiliations: Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
Corresponding author: Wiltschko, Wolfgang
ORCID: Wiltschko, Roswitha
Venue: Journal of Comparative Physiology A
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2005-05-11
Volume: 191
Issue: 8
Pages: 675-693
ISSN: 0340-7594 (ISSN-L)
1432-1351
DOI: 10.1007/s00359-005-0627-7
OpenAlex: W2079500075
Cited by: 587
References: 103
Citations by year: 2026: 18 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 54 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 28
FWCI: 12.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Comparative Physiology A (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Avian ecology and behavior
Keywords: magnetoreception, geomagnetic field, magnetic compass, magnetic navigation, birds, sea turtles, spiny lobster, radical pair mechanism, magnetite, magnetic maps, amphibians, salmonids, nasal cavity, animal orientation
MeSH terms: Animals, Birds, Magnetics, Orientation, Animal Migration

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Magnetic orientation and magnetoreception in birds and other animals

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