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Shirdhankar RN, Malkemper EP. Cognitive maps and the magnetic sense in vertebrates. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 86:102880. [PMID: 38657284 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Navigation requires a network of neurons processing inputs from internally generated cues and external landmarks. Most studies on the neuronal basis of navigation in vertebrates have focused on rats and mice and the canonical senses vision, hearing, olfaction, and somatosensation. Some animals have evolved the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field and use it for orientation. It can be expected that in these animals magnetic cues are integrated with other sensory cues in the cognitive map. We provide an overview of the behavioral evidence and brain regions involved in magnetic sensing in support of this idea, hoping that this will guide future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runita N Shirdhankar
- Research Group Neurobiology of Magnetoreception, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - Caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn 53175, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior, Bonn, Germany
| | - E Pascal Malkemper
- Research Group Neurobiology of Magnetoreception, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - Caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn 53175, Germany.
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Gill JP, Taylor BK. Navigation by magnetic signatures in a realistic model of Earth's magnetic field. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2024; 19:036006. [PMID: 38452388 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ad3120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Certain animal species use the Earth's magnetic field (i.e. magnetoreception) alongside their other sensory modalities to navigate long distances that include continents and oceans. It is hypothesized that several animals use geomagnetic parameters, such as field intensity and inclination, to recognize specific locations or regions, potentially enabling migration without a pre-surveyed map. However, it is unknown how animals use geomagnetic information to generate guidance commands, or where in the world this type of strategy would maximize an animal's fitness. While animal experiments have been invaluable in advancing this area, the phenomenon is difficult to studyin vivoorin situ, especially on the global scale where the spatial layout of the geomagnetic field is not constant. Alongside empirical animal experiments, mathematical modeling and simulation are complementary tools that can be used to investigate animal navigation on a global scale, providing insights that can be informative across a number of species. In this study, we present a model in which a simulated animal (i.e. agent) navigates via an algorithm which determines travel heading based on local and goal magnetic signatures (here, combinations of geomagnetic intensity and inclination) in a realistic model of Earth's magnetic field. By varying parameters of the navigation algorithm, different regions of the world can be made more or less reliable to navigate. We present a mathematical analysis of the system. Our results show that certain regions can be navigated effectively using this strategy when these parameters are properly tuned, while other regions may require more complex navigational strategies. In a real animal, parameters such as these could be tuned by evolution for successful navigation in the animal's natural range. These results could also help with developing engineered navigation systems that are less reliant on satellite-based methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey P Gill
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Brian K Taylor
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
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Beetz MJ. A perspective on neuroethology: what the past teaches us about the future of neuroethology. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024; 210:325-346. [PMID: 38411712 PMCID: PMC10995053 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-024-01695-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
For 100 years, the Journal of Comparative Physiology-A has significantly supported research in the field of neuroethology. The celebration of the journal's centennial is a great time point to appreciate the recent progress in neuroethology and to discuss possible avenues of the field. Animal behavior is the main source of inspiration for neuroethologists. This is illustrated by the huge diversity of investigated behaviors and species. To explain behavior at a mechanistic level, neuroethologists combine neuroscientific approaches with sophisticated behavioral analysis. The rapid technological progress in neuroscience makes neuroethology a highly dynamic and exciting field of research. To summarize the recent scientific progress in neuroethology, I went through all abstracts of the last six International Congresses for Neuroethology (ICNs 2010-2022) and categorized them based on the sensory modalities, experimental model species, and research topics. This highlights the diversity of neuroethology and gives us a perspective on the field's scientific future. At the end, I highlight three research topics that may, among others, influence the future of neuroethology. I hope that sharing my roots may inspire other scientists to follow neuroethological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jerome Beetz
- Zoology II, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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Hagstrum JT. Avian navigation: the geomagnetic field provides compass cues but not a bicoordinate "map" plus a brief discussion of the alternative infrasound direction-finding hypothesis. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024; 210:295-313. [PMID: 37071206 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-023-01627-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
The geomagnetic field (GMF) is a worldwide source of compass cues used by animals and humans alike. The inclination of GMF flux lines also provides information on geomagnetic latitude. A long-disputed question, however, is whether horizontal gradients in GMF intensity, in combination with changes in inclination, provide bicoordinate "map" information. Multiple sources contribute to the total GMF, the largest of which is the core field. The ubiquitous crustal field is much less intense, but in both land and marine settings is strong enough at low altitudes (< 700 m; sea level) to mask the core field's weak N-S intensity gradient (~ 3-5 nT/km) over 10 s to 100 s of km. Non-orthogonal geomagnetic gradients, the lack of consistent E-W gradients, and the local masking of core-field intensity gradients by the crustal field, therefore, are grounds for rejection of the bicoordinate geomagnetic "map" hypothesis. In addition, the alternative infrasound direction-finding hypothesis is briefly reviewed. The GMF's diurnal variation has long been suggested as a possible Zeitgeber (timekeeper) for circadian rhythms and could explain the GMF's non-compass role in the avian navigational system. Requirements for detection of this weaker diurnal signal (~ 20-50 nT) might explain the magnetic alignment of resting and grazing animals.
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Laforge A, Gaspar P, Barat A, Boyer JT, Candela T, Bourjea J, Ciccione S, Dalleau M, Ballorain K, Monsinjon JR, Bousquet O. Uncovering loggerhead ( Caretta caretta) navigation strategy in the open ocean through the consideration of their diving behaviour. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230383. [PMID: 38086403 PMCID: PMC10715913 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
While scientists have been monitoring the movements and diving behaviour of sea turtles using Argos platform terminal transmitters for decades, the precise navigational mechanisms used by these animals remain an open question. Until now, active swimming motion has been derived from total motion by subtracting surface or subsurface modelled ocean currents, following the approximation of a quasi-two-dimensional surface layer migration. This study, based on tracking and diving data collected from 25 late-juvenile loggerhead turtles released from Reunion Island during their pre-reproductive migration, demonstrates the importance of considering the subsurface presence of the animals. Using a piecewise constant heading model, we investigate navigation strategy using daily time-at-depth distributions and three-dimensional currents to calculate swimming velocity. Our results are consistent with a map and compass strategy in which swimming movements follow straight courses at a stable swimming speed (approx. 0.5 m s-1), intermittently segmented by course corrections. This strategy, previously hypothesized for post-nesting green and hawksbill turtles, had never been observed in juvenile loggerheads. These results confirm a common open-ocean navigation mechanism across ages and species and highlight the importance of considering diving behaviour in most studies of sea turtle spatial ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Laforge
- Laboratoire de l'Atmosphère et des Cyclones (UMR 8105 LACY), 15 avenue René Cassin, 97715 Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
- Mercator Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Philippe Gaspar
- Mercator Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Barat
- Laboratoire de l'Atmosphère et des Cyclones (UMR 8105 LACY), 15 avenue René Cassin, 97715 Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Julien Temple Boyer
- Mercator Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Tony Candela
- Mercator Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 Toulouse, France
- Upwell, Monterey, CA, USA
| | - Jérôme Bourjea
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Avenue Jean Monnet, Sète 34200, France
| | - Stéphane Ciccione
- Kelonia, l'observatoire des tortues marines, 46 rue du Général de Gaulle, Saint Leu, La Réunion 97436, France
| | - Mayeul Dalleau
- Centre d’Étude et de Découverte des Tortues Marines (CEDTM), 6 Chemin Dubuisson 97436 Saint Leu, La Réunion, France
| | - Katia Ballorain
- Centre d’Étude et de Découverte des Tortues Marines (CEDTM), 6 Chemin Dubuisson 97436 Saint Leu, La Réunion, France
| | - Jonathan R. Monsinjon
- French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) - Indian Ocean Delegation (DOI), Le Port, La Réunion, France
| | - Olivier Bousquet
- Laboratoire de l'Atmosphère et des Cyclones (UMR 8105 LACY), 15 avenue René Cassin, 97715 Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port-Elizabeth, South Africa
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Abstract
Relaxometry is a technique which makes use of a specific crystal lattice defect in diamond, the so-called NV center. This defect consists of a nitrogen atom, which replaces a carbon atom in the diamond lattice, and an adjacent vacancy. NV centers allow converting magnetic noise into optical signals, which dramatically increases the sensitivity of the readout, allowing for nanoscale resolution. Analogously to T1 measurements in conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), relaxometry allows the detection of different concentrations of paramagnetic species. However, since relaxometry allows very local measurements, the detected signals are from nanoscale voxels around the NV centers. As a result, it is possible to achieve subcellular resolutions and organelle specific measurements.A relaxometry experiment starts with polarizing the spins of NV centers in the diamond lattice, using a strong laser pulse. Afterward the laser is switched off and the NV centers are allowed to stochastically decay into the equilibrium mix of different magnetic states. The polarized configuration exhibits stronger fluorescence than the equilibrium state, allowing one to optically monitor this transition and determine its rate. This process happens faster at higher levels of magnetic noise. Alternatively, it is possible to conduct T1 relaxation measurements from the dark to the bright equilibrium by applying a microwave pulse which brings NV centers into the -1 state instead of the 0 state. One can record a spectrum of T1 at varying strengths of the applied magnetic field. This technique is called cross-relaxometry. Apart from detecting magnetic signals, responsive coatings can be applied which render T1 sensitive to other parameters as pH, temperature, or electric field. Depending on the application there are three different ways to conduct relaxometry experiments: relaxometry in moving or stationary nanodiamonds, scanning magnetometry, and relaxometry in a stationary bulk diamond with a stationary sample on top.In this Account, we present examples for various relaxometry modes as well as their advantages and limitations. Due to the simplicity and low cost of the approach, relaxometry has been implemented in many different instruments and for a wide range of applications. Herein we review the progress that has been achieved in physics, chemistry, and biology. Many articles in this field have a proof-of-principle character, and the full potential of the technology still waits to be unfolded. With this Account, we would like to stimulate discourse on the future of relaxometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldona Mzyk
- Groningen
University, University Medical
Center Groningen, Antonius
Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW Groningen, the Netherlands,Institute
of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Reymonta 25, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Alina Sigaeva
- Groningen
University, University Medical
Center Groningen, Antonius
Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Romana Schirhagl
- Groningen
University, University Medical
Center Groningen, Antonius
Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW Groningen, the Netherlands,
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Abstract
The ability to detect magnetic fields is a sensory modality that is used by many animals to navigate. While first postulated in the 1800s, for decades, it was considered a biological myth. A series of elegant behavioral experiments in the 1960s and 1970s showed conclusively that the sense is real; however, the underlying mechanism(s) remained unresolved. Consequently, this has given rise to a series of beliefs that are critically analyzed in this manuscript. We address six assertions: (1) Magnetoreception does not exist; (2) It has to be magnetite; (3) Birds have a conserved six loci magnetic sense system in their upper beak; (4) It has to be cryptochrome; (5) MagR is a protein biocompass; and (6) The electromagnetic induction hypothesis is dead. In advancing counter-arguments for these beliefs, we hope to stimulate debate, new ideas, and the design of well-controlled experiments that can aid our understanding of this fascinating biological phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Nimpf
- Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Munich, Germany
| | - David A Keays
- Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Munich, Germany.,University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, Downing Street, CB2 3EG Cambridge, UK.,Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus- Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Putman NF. Magnetosensation. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2022; 208:1-7. [PMID: 35098367 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-021-01538-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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