Magnetic Compass of European Robins

Wiltschko, Wolfgang; Wiltschko, Roswitha

doi:10.1126/science.176.4030.62

Cited by 656 publications

(443 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…This way, birds were shown to have at least three mechanisms of direction finding, namely the sun compass [3,4], stellar compass [5][6][7][8] and the magnetic compass [9]. The latter is especially interesting, because the well-documented existence of the magnetic compass in birds remains one of few unambiguous demonstrations of the elusive magnetic sense of animals, the physical and physiological origins of which are still unclear [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic orientation of garden warblers ( Sylvia borin ) under 1.4 MHz radiofrequency magnetic field

Kavokin

Chernetsov

Pakhomov

et al. 2014

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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We report on the experiments on orientation of a migratory songbird, the garden warbler (Sylvia borin), during the autumn migration period on the Courish Spit, Eastern Baltics. Birds in experimental cages, deprived of visual information, showed the seasonally appropriate direction of intended flight with respect to the magnetic meridian. Weak radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field (190 nT at 1.4 MHz) disrupted this orientation ability. These results may be considered as an independent replication of earlier experiments, performed by the group of R. and W. Wiltschko with European robins (Erithacus rubecula). Confirmed outstanding sensitivity of the birds' magnetic compass to RF fields in the lower megahertz range demands for a revision of one of the mainstream theories of magnetoreception, the radicalpair model of birds' magnetic compass.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic orientation of garden warblers ( Sylvia borin ) under 1.4 MHz radiofrequency magnetic field

Kavokin

Chernetsov

Pakhomov

et al. 2014

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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“…Without V the robins had a bimodal ,directional choice. They appear to measure the inclination (J) of the geomagnetic field lines (WILTSCHKO 1972, WILTSCHKO & WILTSCHKO 1972. In eels a bimodal circular distribution was found only if F was normal and it became unimodal if the horizontal field (H) was weakened by reduction of X.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Einfluß von Erdmagnetismus und Salzgehalt auf die Richtungswahl von Aalen

Tesch

1974

Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters

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“…Rather, exposure to long days in early spring, by mechanisms not fully understood, results in the eventual onset of photorefractoriness and termination of reproduction [67,68]. Similarly, design considerations constrain the types of cues that could be used by a magnetic compass, and strong evidence indicated early on that migratory birds use inclination [69]. However, the more recent discovery that cryptochromes may be the molecules that underlie birds' light-dependent magnetic compass did not simply result from consideration of function, and depended on the input from physics theory [70].…”

Section: Review Levels Of Analysis S a Macdougall-shackleton 2079mentioning

confidence: 99%

The levels of analysis revisited

MacDougall‐Shackleton

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The term levels of analysis has been used in several ways: to distinguish between ultimate and proximate levels, to categorize different kinds of research questions and to differentiate levels of reductionism. Because questions regarding ultimate function and proximate mechanisms are logically distinct, I suggest that distinguishing between these two levels is the best use of the term. Integrating across levels in research has potential risks, but many benefits. Consideration at one level can help generate novel hypotheses at the other, define categories of behaviour and set criteria that must be addressed. Taking an adaptationist stance thus strengthens research on proximate mechanisms. Similarly, it is critical for researchers studying adaptation and function to have detailed knowledge of proximate mechanisms that may constrain or modulate evolutionary processes. Despite the benefits of integrating across ultimate and proximate levels, failure to clearly identify levels of analysis, and whether or not hypotheses are exclusive alternatives, can create false debates. Such non-alternative hypotheses may occur between or within levels, and are not limited to integrative approaches. In this review, I survey different uses of the term levels of analysis and the benefits of integration, and highlight examples of false debate within and between levels. The best integrative biology reciprocally uses ultimate and proximate hypotheses to generate a more complete understanding of behaviour.

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Magnetic Compass of European Robins

Cited by 656 publications

References 2 publications

Magnetic orientation of garden warblers ( Sylvia borin ) under 1.4 MHz radiofrequency magnetic field

Magnetic orientation of garden warblers ( Sylvia borin ) under 1.4 MHz radiofrequency magnetic field

Einfluß von Erdmagnetismus und Salzgehalt auf die Richtungswahl von Aalen

The levels of analysis revisited

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