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Magnetoreception and magnetic navigation in fishes: a half century of discovery

Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology · 2022 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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The review describes evidence that magnetoreception is phylogenetically widespread in fishes and is used for navigation across spatial scales from local movements to transoceanic migrations. It notes recent studies (particularly in salmonids) suggesting fish …

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology · 2022
Study typereview
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Magnetoreception and magnetic navigation in fishes: a half century of discovery Naisbett-Jones LC, Lohmann KJ. Magnetoreception and magnetic navigation in fishes: a half century of discovery. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 2022 Jan 15. doi: 10.1007/s00359-021- 01527-w. Abstract As the largest and most diverse vertebrate group on the planet, fishes have evolved an impressive array of sensory abilities to overcome the challenges associated with navigating the aquatic realm. Among these, the ability to detect Earth's magnetic field, or magnetoreception, is phylogenetically widespread and used by fish to guide movements over a wide range of spatial scales ranging from local movements to transoceanic migrations. A proliferation of recent studies, particularly in salmonids, has revealed that fish can exploit Earth's magnetic field not only as a source of directional information for maintaining consistent headings, but also as a kind of map for determining location at sea and for returning to natal areas. Despite significant advances, much about magnetoreception in fishes remains enigmatic. How fish detect magnetic fields remains unknown and our understanding of the evolutionary origins of vertebrate magnetoreception would benefit greatly from studies that include a wider array of fish taxa. The rich diversity of life-history characteristics that fishes exhibit, the wide variety of environments they inhabit, and their suitability for manipulative studies, make fishes promising subjects for magnetoreception studies. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typereview
Effect directionunclear
Populationfishes (including salmonids mentioned)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The review describes evidence that magnetoreception is phylogenetically widespread in fishes and is used for navigation across spatial scales from local movements to transoceanic migrations. It notes recent studies (particularly in salmonids) suggesting fish can use Earth's magnetic field both for maintaining headings and as a map for determining location and returning to natal areas, while emphasizing that the sensory mechanism remains unknown.

Outcomes measured

  • magnetoreception (ability to detect Earth's magnetic field)
  • magnetic navigation (directional orientation, map-based navigation, natal homing/returning to natal areas)

Limitations

  • Mechanism of magnetic field detection in fishes remains unknown (as stated).
  • Abstract indicates gaps in taxonomic breadth of studies; need wider array of fish taxa (as stated).
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "Earth's magnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "fishes (including salmonids mentioned)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "magnetoreception (ability to detect Earth's magnetic field)",
    "magnetic navigation (directional orientation, map-based navigation, natal homing/returning to natal areas)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The review describes evidence that magnetoreception is phylogenetically widespread in fishes and is used for navigation across spatial scales from local movements to transoceanic migrations. It notes recent studies (particularly in salmonids) suggesting fish can use Earth's magnetic field both for maintaining headings and as a map for determining location and returning to natal areas, while emphasizing that the sensory mechanism remains unknown.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Mechanism of magnetic field detection in fishes remains unknown (as stated).",
    "Abstract indicates gaps in taxonomic breadth of studies; need wider array of fish taxa (as stated)."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "magnetoreception",
    "magnetic navigation",
    "fishes",
    "salmonids",
    "Earth's magnetic field",
    "orientation",
    "migration",
    "natal homing"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1007/s00359-021
PubMed: 35031832

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