Sharks can detect changes in the geomagnetic field.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface · 2005 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 3578

Using behavioural conditioning, captive sharks converged on a target when an artificial magnetic field was activated even without a food reward, indicating they could sense the altered magnetic field. The authors describe the response as a robust behavioural …

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of the Royal Society, Interface · 2005

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

We used behavioural conditioning to demonstrate that sharks can detect changes in the geomagnetic field. Captive sharks were conditioned by pairing activation of an artificial magnetic field with presentation of food over a target. Conditioned sharks subsequently converged on the target when the artificial magnetic field was activated but no food reward was presented thereby demonstrating that they were able to sense the altered magnetic field. This strong response provides a robust behavioural assay that could be used to determine how sharks detect magnetic fields and to measure detection thresholds.

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

PopulationCaptive sharks

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Ability to detect changes in the geomagnetic field (behavioural response/target convergence)
Behavioural conditioning response to artificial magnetic field activation

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure characteristics (e.g., field strength, frequency/time variation) not reported in abstract
Species/age/sex details not reported in abstract
Laboratory/captive setting may limit generalizability (not discussed in abstract)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "artificial magnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Captive sharks",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Ability to detect changes in the geomagnetic field (behavioural response/target convergence)",
    "Behavioural conditioning response to artificial magnetic field activation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using behavioural conditioning, captive sharks converged on a target when an artificial magnetic field was activated even without a food reward, indicating they could sense the altered magnetic field. The authors describe the response as a robust behavioural assay for studying magnetic field detection and thresholds.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure characteristics (e.g., field strength, frequency/time variation) not reported in abstract",
    "Species/age/sex details not reported in abstract",
    "Laboratory/captive setting may limit generalizability (not discussed in abstract)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "sharks",
    "geomagnetic field",
    "magnetoreception",
    "artificial magnetic field",
    "behavioural conditioning",
    "detection thresholds"
  ],
  "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: 10.1098/rsif.2004.0021
PubMed: 16849172

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