| A behavioral perspective on the biophysics of the light-dependent magnetic compass: a link between directional and spatial perception? | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20833916 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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In terrestrial organisms, sensitivity to the Earth's magnetic field is mediated by at least two different magnetoreception mechanisms, one involving biogenic ferromagnetic crystals (magnetite/maghemite) and the second involving a photo-induced biochemical reaction that forms long-lasting, spin-coordinated, radical pair intermediates. In some vertebrate groups (amphibians and birds), both mechanisms are present; a light-dependent mechanism provides a directional sense or 'compass', and a non-light-dependent mechanism underlies a geographical-position sense or 'map'. Evidence that both magnetite- and radical pair-based mechanisms are present in the same organisms raises a number of interesting questions. Why has natural selection produced magnetic sensors utilizing two distinct biophysical mechanisms? And, in particular, why has natural selection produced a compass mechanism based on a light-dependent radical pair mechanism (RPM) when a magnetite-based receptor is well suited to perform this function? Answers to these questions depend, to a large degree, on how the properties of the RPM, viewed from a neuroethological rather than a biophysical perspective, differ from those of a magnetite-based magnetic compass. The RPM is expected to produce a light-dependent, 3-D pattern of response that is axially symmetrical and, in some groups of animals, may be perceived as a pattern of light intensity and/or color superimposed on the visual surroundings. We suggest that the light-dependent magnetic compass may serve not only as a source of directional information but also provide a spherical coordinate system that helps to interface metrics of distance, direction and spatial position. |
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Authors:
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John B Phillips; Rachel Muheim; Paulo E Jorge |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The Journal of experimental biology Volume: 213 ISSN: 1477-9145 ISO Abbreviation: J. Exp. Biol. Publication Date: 2010 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-09-13 Completed Date: 2011-01-12 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0243705 Medline TA: J Exp Biol Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 3247-55 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 4100 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0406, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Amphibians
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physiology Animals Behavior, Animal / physiology* Biophysical Phenomena Birds / physiology Light Magnetics* Models, Biological Orientation / physiology Rodentia / physiology Spatial Behavior / physiology Visual Perception / physiology |
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