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Sharks can detect changes in the geomagnetic field.

Carl G Meyer1, Kim N Holland, Yannis P Papastamatiou

  • 1Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, PO Box 1346, Coconut Island, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA. carlm@hawaii.edu

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
|July 20, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Sharks can detect changes in Earth's magnetic field. Researchers used food rewards to train sharks to respond to artificial magnetic fields, proving their ability to sense geomagnetic alterations.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Geophysics

Background:

  • Sharks are known to migrate long distances, suggesting a reliance on environmental cues.
  • The ability of sharks to perceive the geomagnetic field has been hypothesized but not definitively proven through behavioral studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate that sharks possess the capability to detect alterations in the geomagnetic field.
  • To establish a reliable behavioral assay for studying magnetoreception in sharks.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized behavioral conditioning in captive sharks.
  • Paired the activation of an artificial magnetic field with food rewards presented at a specific target.
  • Assessed shark responses to the artificial magnetic field in the absence of food rewards.

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Main Results:

  • Conditioned sharks consistently converged on the target location when the artificial magnetic field was activated.
  • This directed movement demonstrated the sharks' ability to sense the altered magnetic field.
  • The observed response was strong and repeatable, indicating a robust detection mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • Sharks can detect changes in the geomagnetic field.
  • The developed behavioral assay is effective for investigating shark magnetoreception mechanisms and thresholds.
  • This finding opens new avenues for understanding navigation and sensory biology in elasmobranchs.