Effect of light wavelength spectrum on magnetic compass orientation in Tenebrio molitor
Language English Country Germany Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- MeSH
- Behavior, Animal MeSH
- Magnetics * MeSH
- Animal Migration radiation effects MeSH
- Orientation physiology MeSH
- Light * MeSH
- Tenebrio physiology MeSH
- Darkness MeSH
- Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
In many animal species, geomagnetic compass sensitivity has been demonstrated to depend on spectral composition of light to which moving animals are exposed. Besides a loss of magnetic orientation, cases of a shift in the compass direction by 90 degrees following a change in the colour of light have also been described. This hitherto unclear phenomenon can be explained either as a change in motivation or as a side effect of a light-dependent reception mechanism. Among the invertebrates, the 90 degrees shift has only been described in Drosophila. In this paper, another evidence of the phenomenon is reported. Learned compass orientation in the Tenebrio molitor was tested. If animals were trained to remember the magnetic position of a source of shortwave UV light and then tested in a circular arena in diffuse light of the same wavelength, they oriented according to the learned magnetic direction. If, however, they were tested in blue-green light after UV light training, their magnetic orientation shifted by 90 degrees CW. This result is being discussed as one of a few cases of 90 degrees shift reported to date, and as an argument corroborating the hypothesis of a close connection between photoreception and magnetoreception in insects.
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