Artificial light and sun compass orientation in the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

Ugolini, Alberto; Tiribilli, Bruno; Castellini, C.

doi:10.1007/s003590050156

Cited by 12 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…1a) representing a scenario with artificial moon and sky, which allows orientation similar to that obtained under the natural moon (Ugolini et al 1998(Ugolini et al , 2005 despite radiometric and spectral differences with respect to the natural moon (irradiance: natural moon: 130e140 mW/ cm 2 ; artificial moon: 31 mW/cm 2 and 156 mW/cm 2 ; Fig. 1b).…”

Section: Releases In the Laboratorymentioning

confidence: 85%

Moon orientation on moonless nights

2007

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The sandhopper Talitrus saltator is known to use sun and moon compasses to return to the band of wet sand on a beach. The two compass systems are based on separate chronometric mechanisms that compensate for the azimuthal movement of the two astronomical cues. The aim of our research was to test whether the sandhopper's time-compensating mechanism for lunar compass orientation continues to work during the new moon phase (i.e. when the moon is not visible). Our tests were carried out in a confined environment under the natural sky and in the laboratory under artificial light, in both the full and new moon phases. Sandhoppers released in sea water headed towards the expected land direction of their home beach using the natural or artificial moon as a compass cue independently of the moon's natural phase, including the new moon phase. The sandhoppers' chronometric mechanism that compensates for the moon's azimuthal motion thus works continuously, even during the phase when the actual moon is never visible. This could be based on spatiotemporal interpolation between visible moon positions.

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Section: Releases In the Laboratorymentioning

confidence: 85%

Moon orientation on moonless nights

2007

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“…These cues effectively allow T. saltator to move rapidly towards the land if emersed in seawater or toward the sea if dehydrated (Ugolini and Frittelli, 1998). For example, in Mediterranean forms of T. saltator, a solar compass has been demonstrated successfully under both natural (Ugolini et al, 1998(Ugolini et al, , 2002 and artificial conditions (Ugolini et al, 1998). Talitrus saltator also uses a lunar compass (Ugolini et al, 1999), sky polarisation (Ugolini et al, 1998) and visual landmarks (Edwards and Naylor, 1987) for navigating along the intertidal zone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, in Mediterranean forms of T. saltator, a solar compass has been demonstrated successfully under both natural (Ugolini et al, 1998(Ugolini et al, , 2002 and artificial conditions (Ugolini et al, 1998). Talitrus saltator also uses a lunar compass (Ugolini et al, 1999), sky polarisation (Ugolini et al, 1998) and visual landmarks (Edwards and Naylor, 1987) for navigating along the intertidal zone. A magnetic compass has been shown to assist in shoreline orientation in the northern European populations of T. saltator (Arendse, 1978).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The bulk of studies have concentrated on the highly mobile and relatively well sighted, mid to upper tide-line dwelling talitrid amphipods. The best example is the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808), a resident of Northern Hemisphere beaches, which uses a number of directional cues in its environment to orient along the y-axis (sea-land axis) of * Corresponding author; e-mail: nigel.andrew@une.edu.au a beach in order to locate the zone of humidity it favours (Ugolini et al, 1998(Ugolini et al, , 1999. These cues effectively allow T. saltator to move rapidly towards the land if emersed in seawater or toward the sea if dehydrated (Ugolini and Frittelli, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The best example is the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808), a resident of Northern Hemisphere beaches, which uses a number of directional cues in its environment to orient along the y-axis (sea-land axis) of * Corresponding author; e-mail: nigel.andrew@une.edu.au a beach in order to locate the zone of humidity it favours (Ugolini et al, 1998(Ugolini et al, , 1999. These cues effectively allow T. saltator to move rapidly towards the land if emersed in seawater or toward the sea if dehydrated (Ugolini and Frittelli, 1998). For example, in Mediterranean forms of T. saltator, a solar compass has been demonstrated successfully under both natural (Ugolini et al, 1998(Ugolini et al, , 2002 and artificial conditions (Ugolini et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The response of the wash-zone amphipod, Urohaustorius sp. (Amphipoda: Talitridae), to light, gravity, slope, and magnetic fields

Rothsey

Andrew

2016

Journal of Crustacean Biology

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A B S T R A C TLittoral talitrid amphipods that traverse the intertidal zone have been the subject of many behavioural tests. These tests have emphasised the orientation cues required for the maintenance of these talitrids along specific zones on the land-sea axis (y-axis) of the littoral zone. Comparatively, little is known of the orientation cues required by amphipods living along the wash zone of beaches. Urohaustorius sp., family Urohaustoriidae (U. gunni Barnard and Drummond, 1982, but material unavailable for verification), a sightless wash zone amphipod from the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia was tested for its reaction to light, gravity, slope, and Earth-strength field intensity. The results for magnetic field testing indicated that individuals of Urohaustorius sp. were oriented in a meaningful fashion under an Earthstrength field intensity and light. Increasing the field intensity produced a slight misdirection effect and orientation in dark conditions was limited. Individuals appeared to use a polar compass as opposed to an inclination compass. Reaction to slope became stronger with an increase in gradient and was weaker when exposed to a compensated magnetic field. A strong negative phototaxis overrode any magnetotactic response. Gravity was determined to be the strongest orientation cue. Testing in a compensated magnetic field, however, produced no geotactic response when the amphipods were not given a direction for light. The results of this study indicate that there is a complex interplay between the orientation cues used by individuals of Urohaustorius sp. to assist in retaining its position in the splash zone on a beach. Future research into the behaviour of amphipods must consider the effect of Earth's magnetic field.

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