Magnetite-based magnetoreception

Orientation, navigation, and homing are critical traits expressed by organisms ranging from bacteria through higher vertebrates. Sensory systems that aid such behavior have provided key selective advantages to these groups over the past 4 billion years, and are highly evolved; magnetoreception is no...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current Opinion in Neurobiology 2001-08, Vol.11 (4), p.462-467
Main Authors: Kirschvink, Joseph L, Walker, Michael M, Diebel, Carol E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological Evolution
Biophysics - methods
Elasmobranchii
elasmobranchs
Ferrosoferric Oxide
Iron - physiology
Magnetics
magnetite
magnetoreception
Marine
Nervous System - metabolism
Oxides
Sensory Receptor Cells - physiology
sensory systems
Tissue Distribution
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Summary:Orientation, navigation, and homing are critical traits expressed by organisms ranging from bacteria through higher vertebrates. Sensory systems that aid such behavior have provided key selective advantages to these groups over the past 4 billion years, and are highly evolved; magnetoreception is no exception. Across many species and groups of organisms, compelling evidence exists that the physical basis of this response is tiny crystals of single-domain magnetite (Fe 3O 4). It is the opinion of the authors that all magnetic field sensitivity in living organisms, including elasmobranch fishes, is the result of a highly evolved, finely-tuned sensory system based on single-domain, ferromagnetic crystals.
ISSN:0959-4388
1873-6882
DOI:10.1016/S0959-4388(00)00235-X