Animal navigation
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | The neural basis of [[prey detection]], recognition, and [[Animal navigation|orientation]] was studied in depth by [[Jörg-Peter Ewert]] in a series of experiments that made the toad visual system a model system in [[neuroethology]] (neural basis of natural behavior). He began by observing the natural prey catching behavior of the [[Bufo bufo|common European toad]] (''Bufo bufo''). | + | '''Animal navigation''' is the ability of many animals to find their way accurately without maps or instruments. Birds such as the [[Arctic tern]], insects such as the [[Monarch (butterfly)|monarch butterfly]] and fish such as the [[salmon]] regularly [[Animal migration|migrate]] thousands of miles to and from their breeding grounds, and many other species navigate effectively over shorter distances. |
| - | Ewert’s work with toads yielded several important discoveries (Ewert 1974, 2004). In general, his research revealed the specific neural circuits for recognition of complex visual stimuli. Specifically, he identified two main regions of the brain, the [[tectum]] and the thalamic-pretectal region, that were responsible for discriminating [[prey]] from non-prey and revealed the neural pathways that connected them. Furthermore, he found that the neural mechanisms are plastic and adaptable to varying environments and conditions (Carew 2000; Zupanc 2004). | + | [[Dead reckoning]], navigating from a known position using only information about one's own speed and direction, was suggested by [[Charles Darwin]] in 1873 as a possible mechanism. In the 20th century, [[Karl von Frisch]] showed that honey bees can navigate by the sun, by the polarization pattern of the blue sky, and by the earth's magnetic field; of these, they rely on the sun when possible. [[William Tinsley Keeton]] showed that [[homing pigeons]] could similarly make use of a range of navigational cues, including the sun, [[earth's magnetic field]], [[olfaction]] and vision. [[Ronald Lockley]] demonstrated that a species of small seabird, the Manx shearwater, could orient themselves and fly home at full speed, when released far from home, provided either the sun or the stars were visible. |
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| + | Several species of animal can integrate cues of different types to orient themselves and navigate effectively. Insects and birds are able to combine learned landmarks with sensed direction (from the [[earth's magnetic field]] or from the sky) to identify where they are and so to navigate. Internal 'maps' are often formed using vision, but other senses including [[olfaction]] and [[Animal echolocation|echolocation]] may also be used. | ||
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| + | The ability of wild animals to navigate may be adversely affected by products of human activity. For example, there is evidence that pesticides may interfere with bee navigation, and that lights may harm turtle navigation. | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| - | * [[Jörg-Peter Ewert]] | + | * [[Animal migration]] |
| - | * [[Feature detection (nervous system)]] | + | * [[Salmon run]] |
| - | * [[Neuroethology]] | + | |
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Animal navigation is the ability of many animals to find their way accurately without maps or instruments. Birds such as the Arctic tern, insects such as the monarch butterfly and fish such as the salmon regularly migrate thousands of miles to and from their breeding grounds, and many other species navigate effectively over shorter distances.
Dead reckoning, navigating from a known position using only information about one's own speed and direction, was suggested by Charles Darwin in 1873 as a possible mechanism. In the 20th century, Karl von Frisch showed that honey bees can navigate by the sun, by the polarization pattern of the blue sky, and by the earth's magnetic field; of these, they rely on the sun when possible. William Tinsley Keeton showed that homing pigeons could similarly make use of a range of navigational cues, including the sun, earth's magnetic field, olfaction and vision. Ronald Lockley demonstrated that a species of small seabird, the Manx shearwater, could orient themselves and fly home at full speed, when released far from home, provided either the sun or the stars were visible.
Several species of animal can integrate cues of different types to orient themselves and navigate effectively. Insects and birds are able to combine learned landmarks with sensed direction (from the earth's magnetic field or from the sky) to identify where they are and so to navigate. Internal 'maps' are often formed using vision, but other senses including olfaction and echolocation may also be used.
The ability of wild animals to navigate may be adversely affected by products of human activity. For example, there is evidence that pesticides may interfere with bee navigation, and that lights may harm turtle navigation.
See also
