Ferromagnetic coupling to muscle receptors as a basis for geomagnetic field sensitivity in animals

Abstract

Over the past decade several investigators have provided convincing evidence that the orientation of pigeons and other birds during homing and migrational activities is significantly affected by Earth-strength (less than or equal to 0.5 G) magnetic fields. The presumed mediator of such effects would be a highly sensitive magnetoreceptor which the birds would normally use to extract navigational information from the geomagnetic field. The recently reported measurement of magnet remanence in honeybees and in homing pigeons has stimulated interest in the possibility that the magnetically sensitive structure may be constructed from permanently magnetic material. Here we report the detection of permanently magnetic material in the neck musculature of pigeons (Columba livia) and migratory white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys). We propose that a magnetic field detector might involve the coupling of magnetic particles to a sensitive muscle receptor such as a spindle. A detection mechanism of this kind could account for the difficulties encountered in conditioning immobile homing pigeons to magnetic field changes and for the puzzling requirement of movement in other behavioural experiments involving pigeons and magnetic fields.