Magnetic Orientation in Animals

Biological effects of magnetic fields have been studied in many animals and plants. The magnetic fields were of a wide intensity range and, as alternating fields, of a wide frequency range and of a variety of impulse shapes. Effects on the cellular level, on bio chemical processes, growth and development, interactions with physiology, sensory input, reflexes and rhythm control, to name just a few, have been reported. Numerous magnetically induced changes in behavior have also been described. Recently, the amount of literature covering biological effects of magnetic fields has been rapidly increasing. By now it has grown to such an extent that it can no longer be covered in one volume. Most reviews specialize and focus on particular aspects and/or types of fields or effects. For example, the book edited by MARET et al. (1986) gives an overview on biological effects of steady magnetic fields, MISAKIAN et al. (1993) reviewed those of extremely low frequency magnetic fields, focusing on in vitro effects. BERN HARD (1992) reported on 'electromagnetic smog' in view of pos sible effects on human health and well-being, and a series of papers edited by AMEMIYA (1994) summarizes Japanese research on effects of electromagnetic fields ranging from extern ely low to ultra-high frequencies. TENFORDE (1979) and ADEY (1981) sum marized and discussed tissue interactions, REITER (1993a) neu roendocrine and neurochemical changes associated with various kinds of electromagnetic fields. The book edited by KIRSCHVINK et al.

Texte du rabat

The book is devoted to animal orientation with the help of information from the geomagnetic field. It is a comprehensive review discussing magnetic effects on spatial behavior in the various groups of the animal kingdom from platyhelminths to vertebrates, with an emphasis on birds as the best studied group.The discussion covers "compass" and "non-compass" effects and different types of responses, e.g. alignments, compass orientation, and orientation by the spatial distribution of magnetic parameters, which helps the reader to get a better understanding of the various ways magnetic information may be used.

Résumé
"I believe this extensive and valuable overview will serve as a reference book on magnetic orientation for many years to come." Animal Behaviour
"All-encompassing" Nature

Contenu
1 Background.- 1 Magnetic Fields.- 2 Orientation.- 2 Directional Orientation.- 3 Magnetotaxis and Alignment Behaviors.- 4 Compass Orientation.- 5 The Magnetic Compass as Component of a Multifactorial System.- 3 Non-Compass Responses.- 6 Non-Compass Orientation by the Magnetic Field.- 7 Other Non-Compass Effects Associated with Magnetic Fields.- 4 Perception of Magnetic Fields.- 8 Conditioning Experiments.- 9 Obtaining Magnetic Information.- 5 Outlook.- 10 Research on Magnetic Phenomena in Biology.- References.- Taxonomic Index of Animal Species.