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A new model for a magnetoreceptor in homing pigeons based on interacting clusters of superparamagnetic magnetite

A new model for a magnetoreceptor in homing pigeons based on interacting clusters of superparamagnetic magnetite
A new model for a magnetoreceptor in homing pigeons based on interacting clusters of superparamagnetic magnetite
We present a new model of magnetic-field reception in magnetite-containing nerve terminals, which have recently been identified in the upper-beak skin of homing pigeons. The potentially magnetoreceptive nerve cells comprise chain-like aggregates with up to 20 closely spaced clusters of superparamagnetic (SP) magnetite. We designed experiments on superparamagnetic model systems to simulate the behaviour of the aggregates in varying magnetic fields. Magnetic-field induced interactions between the clusters in an aggregate gives rise to attractive and repulsive forces between the clusters. The resulting stress on the surrounding cellular structures varies with field direction and intensity. Our model is able to explain the principal features of the magnetic sense in homing pigeons as derived from behavioural experiments.
Superparamagnetic magnetite, Inclination compass, Ferrofluid, Nervous terminals, Mechanoreceptors
647-652
Davila, A.F.
e180b54d-7355-4892-bdfd-377d447264b7
Fleissner, G.
3a577786-6054-412a-aa81-9c62c4decc65
Winklhofer, M.
70de02f9-51b3-4d4a-89c6-b4ef634407dc
Petersen, N.
01145cf6-177b-4489-a398-260a4482d59b
Davila, A.F.
e180b54d-7355-4892-bdfd-377d447264b7
Fleissner, G.
3a577786-6054-412a-aa81-9c62c4decc65
Winklhofer, M.
70de02f9-51b3-4d4a-89c6-b4ef634407dc
Petersen, N.
01145cf6-177b-4489-a398-260a4482d59b

Davila, A.F., Fleissner, G., Winklhofer, M. and Petersen, N. (2003) A new model for a magnetoreceptor in homing pigeons based on interacting clusters of superparamagnetic magnetite. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A,B,C, 28 (16-19), 647-652. (doi:10.1016/S1474-7065(03)00118-9).

Record type: Article

Abstract

We present a new model of magnetic-field reception in magnetite-containing nerve terminals, which have recently been identified in the upper-beak skin of homing pigeons. The potentially magnetoreceptive nerve cells comprise chain-like aggregates with up to 20 closely spaced clusters of superparamagnetic (SP) magnetite. We designed experiments on superparamagnetic model systems to simulate the behaviour of the aggregates in varying magnetic fields. Magnetic-field induced interactions between the clusters in an aggregate gives rise to attractive and repulsive forces between the clusters. The resulting stress on the surrounding cellular structures varies with field direction and intensity. Our model is able to explain the principal features of the magnetic sense in homing pigeons as derived from behavioural experiments.

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More information

Published date: 2003
Keywords: Superparamagnetic magnetite, Inclination compass, Ferrofluid, Nervous terminals, Mechanoreceptors

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 1336
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/1336
PURE UUID: 68d691ba-f5c1-4f45-8ae3-f4ea349734bf

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Date deposited: 06 May 2004
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 04:43

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Contributors

Author: A.F. Davila
Author: G. Fleissner
Author: M. Winklhofer
Author: N. Petersen

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