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The Geomagnetic Field and its Role in Directional Orientation

  • Conference paper
Book cover Ecology of Sensing

Abstract

A magnetic compass has been demonstrated in vertebrates, arthropods and a nudibranch. Two different functional modes have been described: birds and marine turtles use an inclination compass based on the inclination of the field lines, while mammals, fishes and arthropods use a polarity compass based on their polarity. For amphibians, both mechanisms have been described. In birds and amphibians, magnetic compass orientation proved light-dependent, with normal responses being observed only at the short-wavelength end of the spectrum. This suggests an involvement of photopigments, which is in agreement with the hypothesis assuming magnetoreception by excited-state macromolecules. The nature of the non-light dependent primary processes of magnetoreception in turtles, mammals and arthropods are unclear; magnetite-based mechanisms are discussed. Animals use magnetic compass information in a wide variety of behaviors. Birds orient their homing flights and their migration with the help of the magnetic field, newly-hatched salmon and marine turtles use a magnetic compass to reach suitable habitats, amphibians and amphipods use it for orientation between land and water, insects for building activities. In many of these behaviors, the animals can also use celestial cues for locating directions. Ecological requirements determine how the various cues interact in a given situation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie, J.W.Goethe-Universität, Zoologie, Siesmayerstrasse 70, 60054, Frankfurt a.M., Germany

    Wolfgang Wiltschko & Roswitha Wiltschko

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  1. Wolfgang Wiltschko
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  2. Roswitha Wiltschko
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  1. Biocenter, Institute for Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Friedrich G. Barth  & Axel Schmid  & 

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Wiltschko, W., Wiltschko, R. (2001). The Geomagnetic Field and its Role in Directional Orientation. In: Barth, F.G., Schmid, A. (eds) Ecology of Sensing. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-22644-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-22644-5_15

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