RF Safe

Zebra finches have a light-dependent magnetic compass similar to migratory birds

2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2309

Zebra finches oriented along a trained magnetic compass axis under certain light conditions (e.g., low-irradiance 521 nm green; high-irradiance 430 nm indigo). In the presence of a 1.4 MHz RF field, birds were disoriented under conditions where they otherwise…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Zebra finches have a light-dependent magnetic compass similar to migratory birds Pinzon-Rodriguez A, Muheim R. Zebra finches have a light-dependent magnetic compass similar to migratory birds. J Exp Biol. 2017 Apr 1;220(Pt 7):1202-1209. doi: 10.1242/jeb.148098. Abstract Birds have a light-dependent magnetic compass that provides information about the spatial alignment of the geomagnetic field. It is proposed to be located in the avian retina and mediated by a light-induced, radical-pair mechanism involving cryptochromes as sensory receptor molecules. To investigate how the behavioural responses of birds under different light spectra match with cryptochromes as the primary magnetoreceptor, we examined the spectral properties of the magnetic compass in zebra finches. We trained birds to relocate a food reward in a spatial orientation task using magnetic compass cues. The birds were well oriented along the trained magnetic compass axis when trained and tested under low-irradiance 521 nm green light. In the presence of a 1.4 MHz radio-frequency electromagnetic (RF)-field, the birds were disoriented, which supports the involvement of radical-pair reactions in the primary magnetoreception process. Birds trained and tested under 638 nm red light showed a weak tendency to orient ∼45 deg clockwise of the trained magnetic direction. Under low- irradiance 460 nm blue light, they tended to orient along the trained magnetic compass axis, but were disoriented under higher irradiance light. Zebra finches trained and tested under high-irradiance 430 nm indigo light were well oriented along the trained magnetic compass axis, but disoriented in the presence of a RF-field. We conclude that magnetic compass responses of zebra finches are similar to those observed in nocturnally migrating birds and agree with cryptochromes as the primary magnetoreceptor, suggesting that light- dependent, radical-pair-mediated magnetoreception is a common property for all birds, including non-migratory species. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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
PopulationZebra finches
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 1.4 MHz
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Zebra finches oriented along a trained magnetic compass axis under certain light conditions (e.g., low-irradiance 521 nm green; high-irradiance 430 nm indigo). In the presence of a 1.4 MHz RF field, birds were disoriented under conditions where they otherwise oriented, consistent with disruption of magnetic compass behavior.

Outcomes measured

  • Magnetic compass orientation performance (orientation/disorientation) under different light spectra
  • Effect of 1.4 MHz RF field on orientation

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • RF field exposure characteristics beyond frequency (e.g., field strength, modulation, duration, SAR) not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Behavioral task details and statistical results not provided in provided abstract/metadata
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 1.4,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Zebra finches",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Magnetic compass orientation performance (orientation/disorientation) under different light spectra",
    "Effect of 1.4 MHz RF field on orientation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Zebra finches oriented along a trained magnetic compass axis under certain light conditions (e.g., low-irradiance 521 nm green; high-irradiance 430 nm indigo). In the presence of a 1.4 MHz RF field, birds were disoriented under conditions where they otherwise oriented, consistent with disruption of magnetic compass behavior.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "RF field exposure characteristics beyond frequency (e.g., field strength, modulation, duration, SAR) not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Behavioral task details and statistical results not provided in provided abstract/metadata"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "zebra finch",
    "magnetoreception",
    "magnetic compass",
    "light-dependent",
    "cryptochrome",
    "radical-pair mechanism",
    "radio-frequency field",
    "1.4 MHz",
    "orientation behavior"
  ],
  "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: 10.1242/jeb.148098
PubMed: Not supplied

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