Abstract
Japanese eel is already magnetosensitive at the glass eel phase. However, currently, there is no evidence that they can use geomagnetic cues for orientation. We examined orientation behaviour in a radially symmetrical test arena in which the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field could be manipulated. Groups of glass eels released at the centre of the arena showed a mean orientation angle significantly biased to the south of 198° in the ambient geomagnetic field, but showed random orientation in the geomagnetic field when its horizontal component was cancelled in a solenoid. Results showed that they use geomagnetic cues for orientation.
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The glass eels were handled according to the methods prescribed by Kagoshima University’s Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
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Nishi, T., Archdale, M.V. & Kawamura, G. Behavioural evidence for the use of geomagnetic cue in Japanese glass eel Anguilla japonica orientation. Ichthyol Res 65, 161–164 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-017-0587-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-017-0587-2