Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass
(2023) In Scientific Reports 13(1).- Abstract
The avian magnetic compass can be disrupted by weak narrow-band and broadband radio-frequency (RF) fields in the lower MHz range. However, it is unclear whether disruption of the magnetic compass results from the elimination of the perception pattern produced by the magnetic field or from qualitative changes that make the pattern unrecognizable. We show that zebra finches trained in a 4-arm maze to orient relative to the magnetic field are disoriented when tested in the presence of low-level (~ 10 nT) Larmor-frequency RF fields. However, they are able to orient when tested in such RF fields if trained under this condition, indicating that the RF field alters, but does not eliminate, the magnetic input. Larmor-frequency RF fields of... (More)
The avian magnetic compass can be disrupted by weak narrow-band and broadband radio-frequency (RF) fields in the lower MHz range. However, it is unclear whether disruption of the magnetic compass results from the elimination of the perception pattern produced by the magnetic field or from qualitative changes that make the pattern unrecognizable. We show that zebra finches trained in a 4-arm maze to orient relative to the magnetic field are disoriented when tested in the presence of low-level (~ 10 nT) Larmor-frequency RF fields. However, they are able to orient when tested in such RF fields if trained under this condition, indicating that the RF field alters, but does not eliminate, the magnetic input. Larmor-frequency RF fields of higher intensities, with or without harmonics, dramatically alter the magnetic compass response. In contrast, exposure to broadband RF fields in training, in testing, or in both training and testing eliminates magnetic compass information. These findings demonstrate that low-level RF fields at intensities found in many laboratory and field experiments may have very different effects on the perception of the magnetic field in birds, depending on the type and intensity of the RF field, and the birds’ familiarity with the RF-generated pattern.
(Less)
- author
- Muheim, Rachel LU and Phillips, John B.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023-12
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Scientific Reports
- volume
- 13
- issue
- 1
- article number
- 19970
- publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:37968316
- scopus:85176617576
- ISSN
- 2045-2322
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41598-023-46547-5
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Funding Information: This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council VR (no. 2011-4765, 2015-04869, 2019-03620) and the Crafoord Society (no. 2013-0737) to R.M. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).
- id
- 777a16d2-dc60-45c5-b6d6-633ae764dbfd
- date added to LUP
- 2023-12-21 12:36:37
- date last changed
- 2024-04-19 22:05:23
@article{777a16d2-dc60-45c5-b6d6-633ae764dbfd,
abstract = {{<p>The avian magnetic compass can be disrupted by weak narrow-band and broadband radio-frequency (RF) fields in the lower MHz range. However, it is unclear whether disruption of the magnetic compass results from the elimination of the perception pattern produced by the magnetic field or from qualitative changes that make the pattern unrecognizable. We show that zebra finches trained in a 4-arm maze to orient relative to the magnetic field are disoriented when tested in the presence of low-level (~ 10 nT) Larmor-frequency RF fields. However, they are able to orient when tested in such RF fields if trained under this condition, indicating that the RF field alters, but does not eliminate, the magnetic input. Larmor-frequency RF fields of higher intensities, with or without harmonics, dramatically alter the magnetic compass response. In contrast, exposure to broadband RF fields in training, in testing, or in both training and testing eliminates magnetic compass information. These findings demonstrate that low-level RF fields at intensities found in many laboratory and field experiments may have very different effects on the perception of the magnetic field in birds, depending on the type and intensity of the RF field, and the birds’ familiarity with the RF-generated pattern.</p>}},
author = {{Muheim, Rachel and Phillips, John B.}},
issn = {{2045-2322}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
series = {{Scientific Reports}},
title = {{Effects of low-level RF fields reveal complex pattern of magnetic input to the avian magnetic compass}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-46547-5}},
doi = {{10.1038/s41598-023-46547-5}},
volume = {{13}},
year = {{2023}},
}