Do subterranean mammals use the Earth's magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?

2018 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 1953

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Do subterranean mammals use the Earth's magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels? Malewski S, Begall S, Schleich CE, Antenucci CD, Burda H. Do subterranean mammals use the Earth's magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels? PeerJ. 2018 Oct 31;6:e5819. doi: 10.7717/peerj.5819. Abstract Subterranean rodents are able to dig long straight tunnels. Keeping the course of such "runways" is important in the context of optimal foraging strategies and natal or mating dispersal. These tunnels are built in the course of a long time, and in social species, by several animals. Although the ability to keep the course of digging has already been described in the 1950s, its proximate mechanism could still not be satisfactorily explained. Here, we analyzed the directional orientation of 68 burrow systems in five subterranean rodent species (Fukomys anselli, F. mechowii, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Spalax galili, and Ctenomys talarum) on the base of detailed maps of burrow systems charted within the framework of other studies and provided to us. The directional orientation of the vast majority of all evaluated burrow systems on the individual level (94%) showed a significant deviation from a random distribution. The second order statistics (averaging mean vectors of all the studied burrow systems of a respective species) revealed significant deviations from random distribution with a prevalence of north-south (H. argenteocinereus), NNW-SSE (C. talarum), and NE-SW (Fukomys mole-rats) oriented tunnels. Burrow systems of S. galiliwere randomly oriented. We suggest that the Earth's magnetic field acts as a common heading indicator, facilitating to keep the course of digging. This study provides a field test and further evidence for magnetoreception and its biological meaning in subterranean mammals. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for future field experiments. Open access paper: 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 typeother

Effect directionunclear

PopulationSubterranean rodent species: Fukomys anselli, Fukomys mechowii, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Spalax galili, Ctenomys talarum

Sample size68

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Directional orientation of 68 burrow systems across five subterranean rodent species was evaluated from detailed maps. Most burrow systems (94%) showed significant deviation from random orientation; second-order statistics indicated species-specific preferred axes (e.g., north–south, NNW–SSE, NE–SW), while Spalax galili burrow systems were randomly oriented. The authors suggest the Earth's magnetic field may act as a heading indicator for maintaining straight tunnel courses.

Outcomes measured

Directional orientation of burrow/tunnel systems (deviation from random distribution)
Evidence consistent with use of geomagnetic field as heading indicator (magnetoreception)

Limitations

Mechanism is suggested rather than directly experimentally tested in this study
Based on analysis of existing burrow maps from other studies (observational/retrospective mapping approach)
One species (Spalax galili) showed random orientation

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "Earth's magnetic field (geomagnetic field)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Subterranean rodent species: Fukomys anselli, Fukomys mechowii, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Spalax galili, Ctenomys talarum",
  "sample_size": 68,
  "outcomes": [
    "Directional orientation of burrow/tunnel systems (deviation from random distribution)",
    "Evidence consistent with use of geomagnetic field as heading indicator (magnetoreception)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Directional orientation of 68 burrow systems across five subterranean rodent species was evaluated from detailed maps. Most burrow systems (94%) showed significant deviation from random orientation; second-order statistics indicated species-specific preferred axes (e.g., north–south, NNW–SSE, NE–SW), while Spalax galili burrow systems were randomly oriented. The authors suggest the Earth's magnetic field may act as a heading indicator for maintaining straight tunnel courses.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Mechanism is suggested rather than directly experimentally tested in this study",
    "Based on analysis of existing burrow maps from other studies (observational/retrospective mapping approach)",
    "One species (Spalax galili) showed random orientation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "geomagnetic field",
    "magnetoreception",
    "subterranean mammals",
    "rodents",
    "burrow orientation",
    "tunnel digging",
    "directional orientation"
  ],
  "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: 10.7717/peerj.5819
PubMed: Not supplied

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