Natures wonders: mole rats use magnetic field (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, October 01, 2020, 15:08 (1512 days ago) @ David Turell

Something in their eyes:

NEARLY BLIND MOLE RATS USE THEIR EYES TO DETECT MAGNETIC FIELDS
Certain mammals are able to detect magnetic fields, but where the sense originates from has long remained elusive. Now, the organ that houses magnetic sensors in Ansell’s mole rat (Fukomys anselli) has been identified. This species of mole rat, known for digging long, subterranean tunnels, has poor eyesight and tiny – but structurally intact – eyes. The researchers placed mole rats in a circular arena in which magnetic fields could be used to artificially change the direction of magnetic north. They found that the mole rats with intact eyes always built their nests in the magnetic south-eastern quadrant of the arena. Animals with their eyes removed built their nests in random orientations, suggesting that their magnetic sense had been disrupted. This is the first time that a specific organ housing magnetoreceptors has been identified in mammals. The specific magnetic receptors in the Ansell’s mole rat eye haven’t yet been identified, but the researchers believe they may contain magnetite, a magnetic iron ore.

Comment: the paper is paywalled, but the finding is not surprising