Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Compass01:23

Compass

7.5K
The compass is a fundamental instrument that operates by aligning its magnetic needle with Earth's magnetic field. This alignment facilitates navigation and orientation, offering a means to determine direction relative to magnetic north. However, the magnetic needle points to magnetic north, which differs slightly from true geographic north due to magnetic declination, which is the angular deviation between these two points. Declination varies based on geographic location and shifts over time...
7.5K
Design Example: Marking Boundaries of a Site Using a Compass01:12

Design Example: Marking Boundaries of a Site Using a Compass

292
Marking site boundaries using a compass is a precise surveying technique that ensures the accuracy of boundary delineation. The process begins by using provided site details, including the bearings and lengths of each boundary line. The initial step involves calculating latitudes and departures for all sides of the site. This computation verifies that the traverse is free of errors, ensuring a closed and accurate boundary.The process starts at a known point, such as Point A, which is often...
292
What is Natural Selection?01:32

What is Natural Selection?

129.5K
Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
129.5K
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

64.4K
In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
64.4K
Egoism and Altruism01:55

Egoism and Altruism

93.4K
Voluntary behavior with the intent to help other people is called prosocial behavior. Why do people help other people? Is personal benefit such as feeling good about oneself the only reason people help one another?
93.4K
Empathy02:34

Empathy

10.1K
Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor. 
10.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Stable neural coding of heading across locomotory modes by the insect compass system.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

Distinct evolutionary trajectories of two integration centres, the central complex and mushroom bodies, across Heliconiini butterflies.

eLife·2026
Same author

Analysis of Dendritic Specializations in Two Classes of Kenyon Cells in the Mushroom Body of the Adult Honeybee, Apis mellifera.

The Journal of comparative neurology·2026
Same author

The sensory and neuronal mechanisms underlying long-distance migration in insects.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026
Same author

Neuroethology on the move with butterflies and moths.

Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology·2026
Same author

Parallel Pathways for Visual and Olfactory Information in the Mushroom Bodies of the Swallowtail Butterfly Brain.

The Journal of comparative neurology·2026
Same journal

Hunting ecology predicts eye arrangements in the modular visual system of spiders.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Sub-second fluctuations between top-down and bottom-up modes distinguish diverse human brain states.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Queen bees offload pesticide burden to eggs when social buffering is overwhelmed.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Pitch selectivity in ferret auditory cortex.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

A cell size-dependent competition between geometry and polarity governs nuclear and spindle positioning in early embryos.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Trophic cascades drive sustainability in the agricultural heritage rice-fish coculture system.

Current biology : CB·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

An Experimental Study on Colorado Potato Beetle Hibernation Under Natural Conditions
07:44

An Experimental Study on Colorado Potato Beetle Hibernation Under Natural Conditions

Published on: November 17, 2023

13.4K

The Dung Beetle Compass.

Marie Dacke1, Basil El Jundi2

  • 1Lund Vision Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, 22362 Sweden.

Current Biology : CB
|September 12, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

South African dung beetles navigate backwards using a celestial compass, a more complex system than previously known in the animal kingdom. This remarkable feat is achieved with a tiny brain, showcasing efficient evolution for resource competition.

More Related Videos

Sample Preparation Method of Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope for the Appendages of Woodboring Beetle
10:09

Sample Preparation Method of Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope for the Appendages of Woodboring Beetle

Published on: February 3, 2020

19.6K
Larval RNA Interference in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum
11:00

Larval RNA Interference in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Published on: October 13, 2014

16.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 5, 2026

An Experimental Study on Colorado Potato Beetle Hibernation Under Natural Conditions
07:44

An Experimental Study on Colorado Potato Beetle Hibernation Under Natural Conditions

Published on: November 17, 2023

13.4K
Sample Preparation Method of Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope for the Appendages of Woodboring Beetle
10:09

Sample Preparation Method of Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope for the Appendages of Woodboring Beetle

Published on: February 3, 2020

19.6K
Larval RNA Interference in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum
11:00

Larval RNA Interference in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Published on: October 13, 2014

16.7K

Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Neuroscience
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Many animals exhibit complex navigation strategies.
  • Celestial cues are utilized by various species for orientation.
  • Dung beetles are known for their unique rolling behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the navigational mechanisms of the South African dung beetle.
  • To determine the extent of celestial compass use in beetle navigation.
  • To compare beetle navigation to other species and understand its evolutionary significance.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies of beetle locomotion and orientation.
  • Analysis of beetle behavior in response to manipulated celestial cues.
  • Comparative analysis of navigational strategies across different species.

Main Results:

  • Dung beetles utilize a diverse range of celestial cues for backward navigation.
  • Their celestial compass repertoire is more extensive than any other known animal.
  • Navigation is achieved with a remarkably small and simple nervous system.

Conclusions:

  • The South African dung beetle possesses a sophisticated celestial navigation system.
  • This system evolved under selective pressures for efficient resource acquisition.
  • Beetle navigation highlights convergent evolution of complex behaviors in simple nervous systems.