Researchers have identified how pigeons process magnetic information with their inner ears, allowing them to use their natural GPS.
The inner ear tissue in pigeons, which contains “cells with highly sensitive electric sensors,” resembles that of sharks, which use it for hunting.
The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Science, revealed that pigeons have special cells in their inner ears designed to pick up magnetic signals, which are then converted into electrical signals used for navigation.
“State-of-the-art microscopy allowed us to identify specialized circuits that process magnetic information,” said study lead Professor David Keays. “Moreover, it provided a critical clue to the location of the primary magnetic sensors.”
The technology used in wireless charging of phones is similar to the way in which pigeons power their natural navigational system, the study found.
'Magnetic sense' in animals and navigation abilities
Zoologist Camille Viguier was the first to propose the idea of a “magnetic sense” in the inner ear of animals, but scientists left the topic largely untouched until recently. According to the researchers, there’s much more research to be done on the subject.
“Our data suggests that there’s a ‘dark compass’ in the inner ear, while other studies point to a light-dependent compass in the visual system,” Keys explained.
“In all likelihood, magnetoreception has evolved convergently in different organisms. Much remains to be discovered!”