Abstract
In addition to other natural orientation cues such as the stars, the sun, landmarks and olfactory cues, migrating birds possess the ability to orient by the Earth’s magnetic field. In recent years, neuroscientific research has pinpointed brain regions and connecting neuronal pathways that seem to be involved in processing magnetic information. To date, the most compelling neuroanatomical and behavioural evidence comes from the visual and trigeminal sensory systems. We expect that navigational information from both systems could be integrated in higher-order brain structures, such as the hippocampus and the “decision-making” caudolateral nidopallium. This review summarizes the current state of research on the neurosensory basis of magnetoreception in birds.
Zusammenfassung
Neben verschiedenen in der Natur vorkommenden Orientierungsreizen wie z.B. den Sternen, der Sonne, visuellen Landmarken sowie olfaktorischen Reizen, nutzen Zugvögel das Erdmagnetfeld zur Orientierung. Neurowissenschaftliche Forschungsansätze haben in den letzten Jahren dazu beigetragen, mögliche an der Magnetrezeption beteiligte Hirnstrukturen sowie ihre Verbindungsstrukturen zu identifizieren. Neurobiologische sowie Verhaltensstudien deuten aktuell auf eine Beteiligung des visuellen sowie trigeminalen Systems an der Magnetrezeption hin. Wir erwarten, dass Navigationsinformationen aus beiden Systemen in hippocampalen sowie präfrontalen Strukturen, wie dem caudolateralen Nidopallium, integriert werden. Dieser Übersichtsartikel bildet den aktuellen Stand der Wissenschaft zu den neurosensorischen Korrelaten der Magnetrezeption von Vögeln ab.
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Award Identifier / Grant number: 395940726 – SFB 1372
About the authors
Katrin Haase studied Neurobiology at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. She joined the working group “Neurosensory Sciences” of Prof. Dr. Mouritsen at Universität Oldenburg as a PhD student. Within the SFB 1372 “Magnetoreception and Navigation in Vertebrates”, Katrin is interested in the neuronal correlates underlying the processing of magnetic positional information in night-migratory songbirds.
Isabelle Musielak did her bachelor and master’s degree in the field of neurobiology at Universität Oldenburg. She joined the “Neurosensory Science” group of Prof. Dr. Mouritsen as a PhD student associated with the SFB 1372 “Magnetoreception and Navigation in Vertebrates”. Within the SFB, Isabelle focusses on the multisensory integration of navigational information in the avian telencephalon.
Dominik Heyers studied Neurobiology in Frankfurt/Main. During his PhD at University Medical School Essen, Dominik investigated molecular mechanisms in the developing avian brain. He started his first postdoc at Universität Oldenburg on the neuronal correlates underlying avian magnetoreception. His work, funded by University Oldenburg, DFG, VolkswagenStiftung and DAAD, became instrumental in identifying the neuroanatomical foundations of the visual and trigeminal magnetic senses. As a permanent senior researcher, he is part of SFB 1372 “Magnetoreception and Navigation in Vertebrates” funded by DFG.
Acknowledgements
The authors cordially thank Henrik Mouritsen for editing the manuscript.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved submission.
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Research funding: Our research is generously funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), SFB 1372 “Magnetoreception and Navigation in Vertebrates” (project number: 395940726).
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Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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