Structure and function of the vertebrate magnetic sense

Michael M. Walker (), Carol E. Diebel, Cordula V. Haugh, Patricia M. Pankhurst, John C. Montgomery and Colin R. Green
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Michael M. Walker: Experimental Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Carol E. Diebel: Experimental Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Cordula V. Haugh: Experimental Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Patricia M. Pankhurst: Experimental Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
John C. Montgomery: Experimental Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Colin R. Green: School of Medicine, University of Auckland

Nature, 1997, vol. 390, issue 6658, 371-376

Abstract: Abstract Some vertebrates can navigate over long distances using the Earth's magnetic field, but the sensory system that they use to do so has remained a mystery. Here we describe the key components of a magnetic sense underpinning this navigational ability in a single species, the rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss). We report behavioural and electrophysiological responses to magnetic fields and identify an area in the nose of the trout where candidate magnetoreceptor cells are located. We have tracked the sensory pathway from these newly identified candidate magnetoreceptor cells to the brain and associated the system with a learned response to magnetic fields.

Date: 1997
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DOI: 10.1038/37057

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