Light-dependent magnetic compass orientation in amphibians and insects: candidate receptors and candidate molecular mechanisms
Author
Summary, in English
Magnetic compass orientation by amphibians, and some insects, is mediated by a light-dependent magnetoreception mechanism. Cryptochrome photopigments, best known for their role in circadian rhythms, are proposed to mediate such responses. In this paper, we explore light-dependent properties of magnetic sensing at three levels: (i) behavioural (wavelength-dependent effects of light on magnetic compass orientation), (ii) physiological (photoreceptors/photopigment systems with properties suggesting a role in magnetoreception), and (iii) molecular (cryptochrome-based and non-cryptochrome-based signalling pathways that are compatible with behavioural responses). Our goal is to identify photoreceptors and signalling pathways that are likely to play a specialized role in magnetoreception in order to definitively answer the question of whether the effects of light on magnetic compass orientation are mediated by a light-dependent magnetoreception mechanism, or instead are due to input from a non-light-dependent (e. g. magnetite-based) magnetoreception mechanism that secondarily interacts with other light-dependent processes.
Department/s
Publishing year
2010
Language
English
Pages
241-256
Publication/Series
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
Volume
7
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
The Royal Society of Canada
Topic
- Zoology
Keywords
- magnetic compass
- compound eye
- pineal
- cryptochrome
- magnetoreception
- photoreception
Status
Published
Research group
- Lund Vision Group
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1742-5662