Myths in magnetosensation

The ability to detect magnetic fields is a sensory modality that is used by many animals to navigate. While first postulated in the 1800s, for decades, it was considered a biological myth. A series of elegant behavioral experiments in the 1960s and 1970s showed conclusively that the sense is real; h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:iScience 2022-06, Vol.25 (6), p.104454-104454, Article 104454
Main Authors: Nimpf, Simon, Keays, David A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological science
ethology
physiology
Review
zoology
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Summary:The ability to detect magnetic fields is a sensory modality that is used by many animals to navigate. While first postulated in the 1800s, for decades, it was considered a biological myth. A series of elegant behavioral experiments in the 1960s and 1970s showed conclusively that the sense is real; however, the underlying mechanism(s) remained unresolved. Consequently, this has given rise to a series of beliefs that are critically analyzed in this manuscript. We address six assertions: (1) Magnetoreception does not exist; (2) It has to be magnetite; (3) Birds have a conserved six loci magnetic sense system in their upper beak; (4) It has to be cryptochrome; (5) MagR is a protein biocompass; and (6) The electromagnetic induction hypothesis is dead. In advancing counter-arguments for these beliefs, we hope to stimulate debate, new ideas, and the design of well-controlled experiments that can aid our understanding of this fascinating biological phenomenon. [Display omitted] Biological science, ethology, zoology, physiology
ISSN:2589-0042
2589-0042
DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2022.104454