Attracted by a magnet: Exploration behaviour of rodents in the presence of magnetic objects
Language English Country Netherlands Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article
PubMed
29501549
DOI
10.1016/j.beproc.2018.02.023
PII: S0376-6357(17)30605-8
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Magnetic object assay, Magnetic sense, Magnetoreception, Naked mole-rat,
- MeSH
- Behavior, Animal physiology MeSH
- Rodentia physiology MeSH
- Magnetic Fields * MeSH
- Mole Rats MeSH
- Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Exploratory Behavior physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Magnetosensitivity is widespread among animals with rodents being the most intensively studied mammalian group. The available behavioural assays for magnetoreception are time-consuming, which impedes screens for treatment effects that could characterize the enigmatic magnetoreceptors. Here, we present a fast and simple approach to test if an animal responds to magnetic stimuli: the magnetic object assay (MOA). The MOA focuses on investigating an animal's spontaneous exploration behaviour in the presence of a bar magnet compared to a demagnetised control. We present consistently longer exploration of the magnet in three different rodent species: Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli), C57BL/6J laboratory mouse, and naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber). For the naked mole-rat this is the first report that this species reacts on magnetic stimuli. We conclude that the MOA holds the potential to screen if an animal responds to magnetic stimuli, indicating the possession of a magnetic sense.
References provided by Crossref.org
Brain atlas of the African mole-rat Fukomys anselli
