Information from the geomagnetic field triggers a reduced adrenocortical response in a migratory bird

Henshaw, Ian; Fransson, Thord; Jakobsson, Sven; Jenni-Eiermann, Susanne; Kullberg, Cecilia

doi:10.1242/jeb.033332

Cited by 14 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…45 km) using relevant visual and geophysical cues (e.g. Bruderer and Liechti 1998; Fransson et al 2008; Henshaw et al 2009). Arrival along the Mediterranean coast further to the east (hereafter: arrival to the east) was considered unsuccessful, given the longer sea and desert crossing, and impossibility of reaching West Africa on endogenous headings.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind selectivity and partial compensation for wind drift among nocturnally migrating passerines

McLaren¹,

Shamoun‐Baranes²,

Bouten³

2012

Behavioral Ecology

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A migrating bird’s response to wind can impact its timing, energy expenditure, and path taken. The extent to which nocturnal migrants select departure nights based on wind (wind selectivity) and compensate for wind drift remains unclear. In this paper, we determine the effect of wind selectivity and partial drift compensation on the probability of successfully arriving at a destination area and on overall migration speed. To do so, we developed an individual-based model (IBM) to simulate full drift and partial compensation migration of juvenile Willow Warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) along the southwesterly (SW) European migration corridor to the Iberian coast. Various degrees of wind selectivity were tested according to how large a drift angle and transport cost (mechanical energy per unit distance) individuals were willing to tolerate on departure after dusk. In order to assess model results, we used radar measurements of nocturnal migration to estimate the wind selectivity and proportional drift among passerines flying in SW directions. Migration speeds in the IBM were highest for partial compensation populations tolerating at least 25% extra transport cost compared to windless conditions, which allowed more frequent departure opportunities. Drift tolerance affected migration speeds only weakly, whereas arrival probabilities were highest with drift tolerances below 20°. The radar measurements were indicative of low drift tolerance, 25% extra transport cost tolerance and partial compensation. We conclude that along migration corridors with generally nonsupportive winds, juvenile passerines should not strictly select supportive winds but partially compensate for drift to increase their chances for timely and accurate arrival.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind selectivity and partial compensation for wind drift among nocturnally migrating passerines

McLaren¹,

Shamoun‐Baranes²,

Bouten³

2012

Behavioral Ecology

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“…behavior mediated by the GMF in several migratory birds) (Fransson et al, 2001;Henshaw et al, 2009;Henshaw et al, 2008;Kullberg et al, 2007). Future work should determine if physiological processes related to migration are also influenced by naturally-occurring levels of GMF variation in the geophysical environment.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a narrow sense, magnetoreception refers to the acute ability of animals to detect the GMF (Lohmann, 2010). However, increasing evidence for chronic responses of organisms to magnetic field variation suggests the importance of general magnetoreception in biological processes across taxa (Binhi and Prato, 2017;Henshaw et al, 2009;Maffei, 2014;Wan et al, 2016;Wan et al, 2014;Wan et al, 2015b;Wang et al, 2008). Among studies that subject organisms to different magnetic field intensity treatments, many concern the bioeffects induced by the near-zero magnetic field (NZMF) (Binhi and Prato, 2017;Wang et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies highlight the GMF's function in animal physiological homeostasis. Body weight is closely related to energy homeostasis in animals, and migratory fuelling which is characterized by gaining body mass and increased food intake during migration has been shown to be affected by GMF information (intensity, direction, or both) (Fransson et al, 2001;Henshaw et al, 2009;Henshaw et al, 2008;Kullberg et al, 2007). Interestingly, recent studies showed field intensity-dependent changes in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are regarded as signaling molecules for appetite-related neurons (Drougard et al, 2015;Sherrard et al, 2018;Van Huizen et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geomagnetic field absence reduces adult body weight of a migratory insect by disrupting feeding behavior and appetite regulation

Wan

Jiang

Zhang

et al. 2019

Preprint

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The geomagnetic field (GMF) is well documented for its essential role as a cue used in animal orientation or navigation. Recent evidence indicates that the absence of GMF can trigger stress-like responses such as reduced body weight, as we have previously shown in newly emerged adults of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. To test the hypothesis that reduced feeding in the absence of the GMF leads to a decrease of N. lugens body weight, we compared magnetic responses in feeding behavior, glucose levels, and expression of magnetoreception-and appetite-related genes in brown planthopper nymphs exposed to either a near-zero magnetic field (NZMF, i.e., GMF absence) or typical GMF conditions. In addition to observing the expected responses in the expression of the potential magnetosensor cryptochromes, the food intake of 5 th instar nymphs was significantly reduced in insects reared in the absence of GMF. Insects that exhibited reduced feeding reared in the absence of the GMF also had higher glucose levels which is associated with food aversion.Expression patterns of appetite-related neuropeptide genes were also altered in the absence of GMF in a manner consistent with diminishing appetite. These findings support the hypothesis that strong changes in GMF intensity can affect insect feeding behavior and underlying regulatory processes.Our results provide further evidence that magnetoreception and regulatory responses to GMF changes can affect a wide variety of biological processes.

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“…Given the apparent widespread existence of both long-distance dispersals and the magnetosense, hypothesized interactions between the GMF, migratory behaviour and hormonal control are possibly generalizable. In migratory birds, recent research has established that simulated GMFs influence hormonal secretion and migrational behaviour, with the elicited responses being related to specific adaptations of planned long-distant migrations such as fuelling and metabolic strategies [81,82]. In contrast to these specific strategies, unplanned dispersals in non-migratory animals might instead be expected to elicit a generalized stress reaction mediated across the HPA axis in response to unknown environments with subsequent risks such as low-resource availability and high predation.…”

Section: Magnetosense -Hpa Interactions: Two Models (A) a Generalizedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are stress responses to geomagnetic storms mediated by the cryptochrome compass system?

Close¹

2012

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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A controversial body of literature demonstrates associations of geomagnetic storms (GMS) with numerous cardiovascular, psychiatric and behavioural outcomes. Various melatonin hypotheses of GMS have suggested that temporal variation in the geomagnetic field (GMF) may be acting as an additional zeitgeber (a temporal synchronizer) for circadian rhythms, with GMS somehow interfering with the hypothesized system. The cryptochrome genes are known primarily as key components of the circadian pacemaker, ultimately involved in controlling the expression of the hormone melatonin. Cryptochrome is identified as a clear candidate for mediating the effect of GMS on humans, demonstrating the prior existence of several crucial pieces of evidence. A distinct scientific literature demonstrates the widespread use of geomagnetic information for navigation across a range of taxa. One mechanism of magnetoreception is thought to involve a light-dependent retinal molecular system mediated by cryptochrome, acting in a distinct functionality to its established role as a circadian oscillator. There is evidence suggesting that such a magnetosense-or at least the vestiges of it-may exist in humans. This paper argues that cryptochrome is not acting as secondary geomagnetic zeitgeber to influence melatonin synthesis. Instead, it is hypothesized that the cryptochrome compass system is mediating stress responses more broadly across the hypothalamic -pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (including alterations to circadian behaviour) in response to changes in the GMF. Two conceptual models are outlined for the existence of such responses-the first as a generalized migrational/dispersal strategy, the second as a stress response to unexpected signals to the magnetosense. It is therefore proposed that GMS lead to disorientation of hormonal systems in animals and humans, thus explaining the effects of GMS on human health and behaviour.

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Information from the geomagnetic field triggers a reduced adrenocortical response in a migratory bird

Cited by 14 publications

References 64 publications

Wind selectivity and partial compensation for wind drift among nocturnally migrating passerines

Wind selectivity and partial compensation for wind drift among nocturnally migrating passerines

Geomagnetic field absence reduces adult body weight of a migratory insect by disrupting feeding behavior and appetite regulation

Are stress responses to geomagnetic storms mediated by the cryptochrome compass system?

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