Detailed Information on Publication Record
2007
Tenebrio beetle magnetic orientation is sensitive to wavelength of light and inclination.
VÁCHA, Martin, Tereza PŮŽOVÁ and Dana DRŠTKOVÁBasic information
Original name
Tenebrio beetle magnetic orientation is sensitive to wavelength of light and inclination.
Name in Czech
Magnetická orientace potemníka moučného závisí na vlnové délce světla a na inklinaci.
Authors
VÁCHA, Martin, Tereza PŮŽOVÁ and Dana DRŠTKOVÁ
Edition
Vancouver, Canada, The 8th Congress of the International Society for Neuroethology, p. 59-59, 1 pp. 2007
Publisher
The International Society for Neuroethology
Other information
Language
English
Type of outcome
Stať ve sborníku
Field of Study
30105 Physiology
Country of publisher
Czech Republic
Confidentiality degree
není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství
References:
Organization unit
Faculty of Science
Keywords in English
insect; magnetoreception; light; inclination
Tags
Tags
International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 21/7/2008 10:24, doc. RNDr. Martin Vácha, Ph.D.
V originále
Numerous animals were reported to use the magnetic field of the Earth as an orientation cue. Different animals utilize the geomagnetic information differently. Some perceive the polarity of geomagnetic vector directly (polarity compass) while other species derive the difference between Northward and Southward directions from the dip of the geomagnetic vector (inclination compass). Besides, some animals show shift of their magnetic bearing when illuminated by lights of diverse colours. Such behavioural characteristics of compass orientation may tell more about possible neural mechanism(s) of magnetic perception. A number of insect species are known to use magnetic compass for orientation. However, very little is known about characteristics of their magnetic compasses. In the present study, the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor was tested for sensitivity of its magnetic compass orientation both to reversal of the inclination of the magnetic vector and the change of the illumination colour. We used a standart conditionig protocol: In both experiments, in the first step, animals were trained to memorize the magnetic position of a light source attracting them. In the following step, beetles released individually in the centre of a circular arena showed preference of the direction which corresponded to the magnetic bearing previously learned. We found significant impacts of both factors changed between the training and the test: inclination reversal and the change from 390 nm to 500 nm of the illuminating light wavelength. The results show Tenebrio compass as an inclination-sensitive and wavelength-sensitive and may contribute to the discussion about what modes of sensory transduction are used in insect magnetoreception.
In Czech
Numerous animals were reported to use the magnetic field of the Earth as an orientation cue. Different animals utilize the geomagnetic information differently. Some perceive the polarity of geomagnetic vector directly (polarity compass) while other species derive the difference between Northward and Southward directions from the dip of the geomagnetic vector (inclination compass). Besides, some animals show shift of their magnetic bearing when illuminated by lights of diverse colours. Such behavioural characteristics of compass orientation may tell more about possible neural mechanism(s) of magnetic perception. A number of insect species are known to use magnetic compass for orientation. However, very little is known about characteristics of their magnetic compasses. In the present study, the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor was tested for sensitivity of its magnetic compass orientation both to reversal of the inclination of the magnetic vector and the change of the illumination colour. We used a standart conditionig protocol: In both experiments, in the first step, animals were trained to memorize the magnetic position of a light source attracting them. In the following step, beetles released individually in the centre of a circular arena showed preference of the direction which corresponded to the magnetic bearing previously learned. We found significant impacts of both factors changed between the training and the test: inclination reversal and the change from 390 nm to 500 nm of the illuminating light wavelength. The results show Tenebrio compass as an inclination-sensitive and wavelength-sensitive and may contribute to the discussion about what modes of sensory transduction are used in insect magnetoreception.
Links
| GA206/05/0911, research and development project |
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| MSM0021622416, plan (intention) |
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