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A Model Avian Compass Based upon a Magnetite Null Detector

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2009

D. T. Edmonds
D. T. Edmonds
Affiliation:
(The Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford)
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Abstract

A model avian compass is formed if magnetite crystals are included among the statoconia loading some of the hair cells in the vestibular system. The magnetite is used as a null detector to detect the direction in which the magnetic couple acting on the magnetic crystal is zero. The location of the north/south plane and the angle between the directions of the gravitational and the magnetic fields are detected at a single site.

Keywords

1. Animal navigation2. Bird migration3. Orientation

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 46 , Issue 3 , September 1993, pp. 359 - 363
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1993

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References

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