Sensitivity threshold of avian magnetic compass to oscillating magnetic field is species-specific

Bojarinova, Julia; Kavokin, K. V.; Cherbunin, R. V.; Sannikov, D. V.; Fedorishcheva, Aleksandra; Pakhomov, A. Yu.; Chernetsov, Nikita

doi:10.1007/s00265-022-03282-7

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…1B-D suggests that both Larmor-frequency and broadband RF fields disrupt magnetic compass orientation by either eliminating or changing the magnetic modulation pattern, making it unrecognizable to the birds. This is in line with previous studies reporting disorientation in zebra finches, chickens and migratory songbirds tested in the presence of various RF fields 10,14,34,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] S3 for detailed statistics. www.nature.com/scientificreports/ under the extremely low Larmor-frequency RF field with peak intensity of only 10 nT (RF 1.4 low ) agrees with findings in garden warblers, Sylvia borin, in which the threshold for effects of RF fields at the Larmor frequency was found to be around 2-3 nT peak intensity 44 , and in European robins in which the threshold was between 5 and 15 nT 39 .…”

Section: Larmor-frequency and Broadband Rf Fields Alter The Perceptio...supporting

confidence: 92%

“…Recognition of and/or familiarity with the magnetic modulation pattern may play an important role, at least when the pattern the birds are exposed to in testing is a less degraded version of the training pattern (i.e., RF 42 . The 15 nT RF field used in Wiltschko et al 42 was slightly stronger than the 10 nT field that we used, thus the differences in responses could be due to a sensitivity threshold, alternatively species-specific differences in the sensitivity to Larmor-frequency RF fields, as indicated by Bojarinova et al 45 .…”

Section: Low-intensity Larmor-frequency Rf Field (Rf 14 Low ) Degrade...mentioning

confidence: 67%

“…been found in several species of migratory songbirds 34,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45] . Magnetic compass orientation has also been shown to be sensitive to RF fields in non-migratory zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata 10,14,46 , and domestic chickens 47 .…”

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Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass

Muheim,

Phillips

2023

Sci Rep

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The avian magnetic compass can be disrupted by weak narrow-band and broadband radio-frequency (RF) fields in the lower MHz range. However, it is unclear whether disruption of the magnetic compass results from the elimination of the perception pattern produced by the magnetic field or from qualitative changes that make the pattern unrecognizable. We show that zebra finches trained in a 4-arm maze to orient relative to the magnetic field are disoriented when tested in the presence of low-level (~ 10 nT) Larmor-frequency RF fields. However, they are able to orient when tested in such RF fields if trained under this condition, indicating that the RF field alters, but does not eliminate, the magnetic input. Larmor-frequency RF fields of higher intensities, with or without harmonics, dramatically alter the magnetic compass response. In contrast, exposure to broadband RF fields in training, in testing, or in both training and testing eliminates magnetic compass information. These findings demonstrate that low-level RF fields at intensities found in many laboratory and field experiments may have very different effects on the perception of the magnetic field in birds, depending on the type and intensity of the RF field, and the birds’ familiarity with the RF-generated pattern.

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Section: Larmor-frequency and Broadband Rf Fields Alter The Perceptio...supporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Low-intensity Larmor-frequency Rf Field (Rf 14 Low ) Degrade...mentioning

confidence: 67%

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Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass

Muheim,

Phillips

2023

Sci Rep

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“…Most species initiate their migratory flights in the wild-or nocturnal restlessness in cages-within 1-2 h after sunset, according to radiotelemetry, cage and radar studies [85][86][87][88][89][90]. Most of our previous experimental studies on magnetic orientation in various songbird migrants [14,16,91] were performed after the end of nautical twilight under very low-intensity light conditions (10 12−13 quanta s −1 m −2 and lower) with the spectrum shifted towards long wavelengths (yellow and red) and all tested species were able to use their magnetic compass to find an appropriate migratory direction. Therefore, if nocturnal migrants rely on the avian magnetic compass as a primary source of information about the direction of migration, their magnetoreceptor should be adapted to function properly under the different wavelengths of visible light and in light intensities that birds are faced with throughout the night.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migratory birds are able to choose the appropriate migratory direction under dim yellow narrowband light

Romanova,

Utvenko,

Prokshina

et al. 2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Currently, it is generally assumed that migratory birds are oriented in the appropriate migratory direction under UV, blue and green light (short-wavelength) and are unable to use their magnetic compass in total darkness and under yellow and red light (long-wavelength). However, it has also been suggested that the magnetic compass has two sensitivity peaks: in the short and long wavelengths, but with different intensities. In this project, we aimed to study the orientation of long-distance migrants, pied flycatchers ( Ficedula hypoleuca ), under different narrowband light conditions during autumn and spring migrations. The birds were tested in the natural magnetic field (NMF) and a changed magnetic field (CMF) rotated counterclockwise by 120° under dim green (autumn) and yellow (spring and autumn) light, which are on the ‘threshold’ between the short-wavelength and long-wavelength light. We showed that pied flycatchers (i) were completely disoriented under green light both in the NMF and CMF but (ii) showed the migratory direction in the NMF and the appropriate response to CMF under yellow light. Our data contradict the results of previous experiments under narrowband green and yellow light and raise doubts about the existence of only short-wavelength magnetoreception. The parameters of natural light change dramatically in spectral composition and intensity after local sunset, and the avian magnetic compass should be adapted to function properly under such constantly changing light conditions.

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“…Indeed, effects of RF elds on magnetic compass orientation have been demonstrated in several organisms, including amphipods 35 , cockroaches 36 , turtles 37 , murine rodents 38 , and birds. In birds, such effects have been found in several species of migratory songbirds 34,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45] . Magnetic compass orientation has also been shown to be sensitive to RF elds in non-migratory zebra nches, Taeniopygia guttata 10,14,46 , and domestic chickens 47 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass

Muheim,

Phillips

2023

Preprint

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The avian magnetic compass can be disrupted by weak narrow-band and broadband radio-frequency (RF) fields in the lower MHz range. However, it is unclear whether disruption of the magnetic compass results from the elimination of the perception pattern produced by the magnetic field or from qualitative changes that make the pattern unrecognizable. We show that zebra finches trained in a 4-arm maze to orient relative to the magnetic field are disoriented when tested in the presence of low-level (~ 10 nT) Larmor-frequency RF fields. However, they are able to orient when tested in such RF fields if trained under this condition, indicating that the RF field alters, but does not eliminate, the magnetic input. Larmor-frequency RF fields of higher intensities, with or without harmonics, dramatically alter, the magnetic compass response. In contrast, exposure to broadband RF fields in training, in testing, or in both training and testing eliminates magnetic compass information. These findings demonstrate that low-level RF fields at intensities found in many laboratory and field experiments may have very different effects on the perception of the magnetic field in birds, depending on the type and intensity of the RF field, and the birds’ familiarity with the RF-generated pattern.

show abstract

Sensitivity threshold of avian magnetic compass to oscillating magnetic field is species-specific

Cited by 5 publications

References 49 publications

Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass

Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass

Migratory birds are able to choose the appropriate migratory direction under dim yellow narrowband light

Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass

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