Animal navigation: A noisy magnetic compass?
Diverse organisms use Earth’s magnetic field as a cue in orientation and navigation. Nevertheless, eliciting magnetic orientation responses reliably, either in laboratory or natural settings, is often difficult. Many species appear to preferentially exploit non-magnetic cues if they are available, suggesting that the magnetic sense often serves as a redundant or ‘backup’ source of information. ThiDiverse organisms use Earth’s magnetic field as a cue inorientation and navigation. Nevertheless, eliciting magneticorientation responses reliably, either in laboratory or naturalsettings, is often difficult. Many species appear to preferentiallyexploit non-magnetic cues if they are available, suggesting that themagnetic sense often serves as a redundant or ‘backup’ source ofinformation. This rais