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Magnetic alignment in mammals and other animals

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Abstract

Magnetic alignment (MA) constitutes the simplest directional response to the geomagnetic field. In contrast to magnetic compass orientation, MA is not goal directed and represents a spontaneous, fixed directional response. Because animals tend to align their bodies along or perpendicular to the magnetic field lines, MA typically leads to bimodal or quadrimodal orientation, although there is also growing evidence for a fixed unimodal orientation not necessarily coinciding with the magnetic cardinal directions. MA has been demonstrated in diverse animals including insects, amphibians, fish, and mammals. Alignment can be expressed by animals during resting as well as on the move (e.g. while grazing, hunting, feeding, etc.). Here, we briefly survey characteristic features and classical examples of MA and review the current knowledge about the occurrence of MA in mammals. In addition, we summarize what is known about mechanisms underlying MA and discuss its prospective biological functions. Finally, we highlight some physiological effects of alignment along the magnetic field axes reported in humans. We argue that the phenomenon of MA adds a new paradigm that can be exploited for investigation of magnetoreception in mammals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45117, Essen, Germany

    Sabine Begall, E. Pascal Malkemper & Hynek Burda

  2. Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Praha 6, Czech Republic

    Jaroslav Červený & Hynek Burda

  3. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12844, Praha 2, Czech Republic

    Pavel Němec

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  1. Sabine Begall
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Correspondence to Sabine Begall.

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Begall, S., Malkemper, E.P., Červený, J. et al. Magnetic alignment in mammals and other animals. Mamm Biol 78, 10–20 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2012.05.005

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2012.05.005

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