faqs.org » Abstracts Index » Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

Hunt for the magnetoreceptor

Article Abstract:

The ability of animals to take in sensory information through internal magnetic compasses may be related to the detection of light by the photoreceptors. John B. Phillips and S. Chris Borland carried out experiments with newts and concluded that the animals relied on their photoreceptors to tap into the Earth's magnetic field as a means of navigating. Verification of a light-dependent magnetoreceptor would be a major step toward understanding how animals use geomagnetism while migrating.

Photoreceptors, Biomagnetism

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Brainless eyes

Article Abstract:

A box jellyfish or cubomedusa, a lowly animal inhabiting the tropical seas, is equipped with eight sophisticated lens eyes of the camera-type, but there is no common brain behind them. These lens eyes resemble those of animals such as fish and cephalopods but the 'central nervous system' behind the eyes consists only a diffuse nerve accompanied by a marginal nerve ring.

Science & research, Physiological aspects, Observations, Central nervous system, Lenses, Lenses (Optics), Jellyfishes

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Ant odometry in the third dimension

Article Abstract:

Research into how a desert ant's odometer functions when a path integration task must be undertaken that includes a vertical element is presented. The ants showed homing distances corresponding with the ground distances, rather than the distances actually travelled.

Behavior, Ants

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