Biol. Bull. Sign up for etocs!
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lohmann, K. J.
Right arrow Articles by Lohmann, CMF.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Lohmann, K. J.
Right arrow Articles by Lohmann, CMF.

The Biological Bulletin, Vol 185, Issue 1 149-151, Copyright © 1993 by Marine Biological Laboratory

RESEARCH NOTE

A Light-Independent Magnetic Compass in the Leatherback Sea Turtle

K. J. Lohmann and CMF. Lohmann
Department of Biology, Coker Hall, CB-3280, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599

Diverse animals can orient to the earth's magnetic field (1-6), but the mechanism or mechanisms undrlying magnetic field detection have not been determined. Behavioral (7-9) amd neurophysiological (10-12) results suggest that the transduction process underlying magnetic compass orientation in vertebrates is light-dependent, a finding consistent with theoretical models proposing that magnetoreception involves a modulation of the response of retinal photoreceptors to light (13, 14). We report, however, that leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) hatchlings orient to the geomagnetic field in complete darkness. Thus, light-dependence is not a universal feature of vertebrate magnetic compasses.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
K. J. Lohmann, C. M. F. Lohmann, and C. S. Endres
The sensory ecology of ocean navigation
J. Exp. Biol., June 1, 2008; 211(11): 1719 - 1728.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Integr. Comp. Biol.Home page
S. D. Cain, L. C. Boles, J. H. Wang, and K. J. Lohmann
Magnetic Orientation and Navigation in Marine Turtles, Lobsters, and Molluscs: Concepts and Conundrums
Integr. Comp. Biol., June 1, 2005; 45(3): 539 - 546.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
W. P. Irwin and K. J. Lohmann
Magnet-induced disorientation in hatchling loggerhead sea turtles
J. Exp. Biol., February 1, 2003; 206(3): 497 - 501.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
T Kimchi and J Terkel
Magnetic compass orientation in the blind mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi
J. Exp. Biol., January 2, 2001; 204(4): 751 - 758.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
M. Deutschlander, J. Phillips, and S. Borland
The case for light-dependent magnetic orientation in animals
J. Exp. Biol., January 4, 1999; 202(8): 891 - 908.
[Abstract] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1993 by the Marine Biological Laboratory.