Importance of magnetic information for neuronal plasticity in desert ants

PNAS · 2024 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 90

Study snapshot

PublicationPNAS · 2024

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Importance of magnetic information for neuronal plasticity in desert ants Grob R, Müller VL, Grübel K, Fleischmann PN. Importance of magnetic information for neuronal plasticity in desert ants. PNAS. 2024. 121 (8) e2320764121. doi: pnas.2320764121. Significance The Earth’s magnetic field is an essential navigational cue for many animal species. However, where in the brain magnetic information is processed is still little understood. In this paper, we analyzed structural neuronal plasticity in the brain of Cataglyphis desert ants following sky-compass calibration under permanently manipulated magnetic field conditions. Our results demonstrate that information from the Earth’s magnetic field is integrated into the ants’ internal compass (central complex) and into the learning and memory centers (mushroom bodies). Together with our behavioral analyses, the results show that the ants use magnetic information both as a navigational compass and as a reference system for visual compass calibration. Abstract Many animal species rely on the Earth’s magnetic field during navigation, but where in the brain magnetic information is processed is still unknown. To unravel this, we manipulated the natural magnetic field at the nest entrance of Cataglyphis desert ants and investigated how this affects relevant brain regions during early compass calibration. We found that manipulating the Earth’s magnetic field has profound effects on neuronal plasticity in two sensory integration centers. Magnetic field manipulations interfere with a typical look-back behavior during learning walks of naive ants. Most importantly, structural analyses in the ants’ neuronal compass (central complex) and memory centers (mushroom bodies) demonstrate that magnetic information affects neuronal plasticity during early visual learning. This suggests that magnetic information does not only serve as a compass cue for navigation but also as a global reference system crucial for spatial memory formation. We propose a neural circuit for integration of magnetic information into visual guidance networks in the ant brain. Taken together, our results provide an insight into the neural substrate for magnetic navigation in insects. pnas.org

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationCataglyphis desert ants (desert ants)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Manipulating the Earth's magnetic field at the nest entrance affected neuronal plasticity in two sensory integration centers (central complex and mushroom bodies) during early compass calibration. Magnetic field manipulations interfered with typical look-back behavior during learning walks of naive ants, and structural analyses indicated magnetic information affects neuronal plasticity during early visual learning.

Outcomes measured

Structural neuronal plasticity in central complex
Structural neuronal plasticity in mushroom bodies
Look-back behavior during learning walks (behavioral effect)
Early compass calibration / early visual learning effects
Spatial memory formation (inferred from learning/memory centers; described as crucial for memory formation)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided text
Exposure characteristics (field strength, waveform, timing) not specified in provided text
Details of experimental design and statistical results not provided in provided text

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "manipulated Earth's magnetic field at nest entrance",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Cataglyphis desert ants (desert ants)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Structural neuronal plasticity in central complex",
    "Structural neuronal plasticity in mushroom bodies",
    "Look-back behavior during learning walks (behavioral effect)",
    "Early compass calibration / early visual learning effects",
    "Spatial memory formation (inferred from learning/memory centers; described as crucial for memory formation)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Manipulating the Earth's magnetic field at the nest entrance affected neuronal plasticity in two sensory integration centers (central complex and mushroom bodies) during early compass calibration. Magnetic field manipulations interfered with typical look-back behavior during learning walks of naive ants, and structural analyses indicated magnetic information affects neuronal plasticity during early visual learning.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided text",
    "Exposure characteristics (field strength, waveform, timing) not specified in provided text",
    "Details of experimental design and statistical results not provided in provided text"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Earth's magnetic field",
    "magnetic field manipulation",
    "magnetoreception",
    "navigation",
    "desert ants",
    "Cataglyphis",
    "neuronal plasticity",
    "central complex",
    "mushroom bodies",
    "learning walks",
    "visual compass calibration",
    "spatial memory"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental manipulation of Earth's magnetic field and neural/behavioral outcomes in ants."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320764121
PubMed: Not supplied

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