Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?

Autores
Malewski, Sandra; Begall, Sabine; Schleich, Cristian; Antenucci, C. Daniel; Burda, Hynek
Año de publicación
2018
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Subterranean rodents are able to dig long straight tunnels. Keeping the course of such “runways” is important in the context of optimal foraging strategies and natal or mating dispersal. These tunnels are built in the course of a long time, and in social species, by several animals. Although the ability to keep the course of digging has already been described in the 1950s, its proximate mechanism could still not be satisfactorily explained. Here, we analyzed the directional orientation of 68 burrow systems in five subterranean rodent species (Fukomys anselli, F. mechowii, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Spalax galili, and Ctenomys talarum) on the base of detailed maps of burrow systems charted within the framework of other studies and provided to us. The directional orientation of the vast majority of all evaluated burrow systems on the individual level (94%) showed a significant deviation from a random distribution. The second order statistics (averaging mean vectors of all the studied burrow systems of a respective species) revealed significant deviations from random distribution with a prevalence of north–south (H. argenteocinereus), NNW–SSE (C. talarum), and NE–SW (Fukomys mole-rats) oriented tunnels. Burrow systems of S. galili were randomly oriented. We suggest that the Earth’s magnetic field acts as a common heading indicator, facilitating to keep the course of digging. This study provides a field test and further evidence for magnetoreception and its biological meaning in subterranean mammals. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for future field experiments.
Fil: Malewski, Sandra. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; Alemania
Fil: Begall, Sabine. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; Alemania
Fil: Schleich, Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina
Fil: Antenucci, C. Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina
Fil: Burda, Hynek. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; Alemania
Materia
Burrow Systems
Magnetoreception
Orientation
Subterranean rodents
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/88069
Acceder
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oai_identifier_str oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/88069
network_acronym_str CONICETDig
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network_name_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
spelling Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?Malewski, SandraBegall, SabineSchleich, CristianAntenucci, C. DanielBurda, HynekBurrow SystemsMagnetoreceptionOrientationSubterranean rodentshttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.7https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1Subterranean rodents are able to dig long straight tunnels. Keeping the course of such “runways” is important in the context of optimal foraging strategies and natal or mating dispersal. These tunnels are built in the course of a long time, and in social species, by several animals. Although the ability to keep the course of digging has already been described in the 1950s, its proximate mechanism could still not be satisfactorily explained. Here, we analyzed the directional orientation of 68 burrow systems in five subterranean rodent species (Fukomys anselli, F. mechowii, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Spalax galili, and Ctenomys talarum) on the base of detailed maps of burrow systems charted within the framework of other studies and provided to us. The directional orientation of the vast majority of all evaluated burrow systems on the individual level (94%) showed a significant deviation from a random distribution. The second order statistics (averaging mean vectors of all the studied burrow systems of a respective species) revealed significant deviations from random distribution with a prevalence of north–south (H. argenteocinereus), NNW–SSE (C. talarum), and NE–SW (Fukomys mole-rats) oriented tunnels. Burrow systems of S. galili were randomly oriented. We suggest that the Earth’s magnetic field acts as a common heading indicator, facilitating to keep the course of digging. This study provides a field test and further evidence for magnetoreception and its biological meaning in subterranean mammals. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for future field experiments.Fil: Malewski, Sandra. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; AlemaniaFil: Begall, Sabine. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; AlemaniaFil: Schleich, Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Antenucci, C. Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Burda, Hynek. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; AlemaniaPeerJ Preprints2018-10-31info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/88069Malewski, Sandra; Begall, Sabine; Schleich, Cristian; Antenucci, C. Daniel; Burda, Hynek; Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?; PeerJ Preprints; PeerJ; 6; 31-10-2018; 1-152167-8359CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://peerj.com/articles/5819info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.7717/peerj.5819info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2025-11-12T09:37:54Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/88069instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982025-11-12 09:37:55.051CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
title Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
spellingShingle Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
Malewski, Sandra
Burrow Systems
Magnetoreception
Orientation
Subterranean rodents
title_short Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
title_full Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
title_fullStr Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
title_full_unstemmed Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
title_sort Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Malewski, Sandra
Begall, Sabine
Schleich, Cristian
Antenucci, C. Daniel
Burda, Hynek
author Malewski, Sandra
author_facet Malewski, Sandra
Begall, Sabine
Schleich, Cristian
Antenucci, C. Daniel
Burda, Hynek
author_role author
author2 Begall, Sabine
Schleich, Cristian
Antenucci, C. Daniel
Burda, Hynek
author2_role author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Burrow Systems
Magnetoreception
Orientation
Subterranean rodents
topic Burrow Systems
Magnetoreception
Orientation
Subterranean rodents
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.7
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Subterranean rodents are able to dig long straight tunnels. Keeping the course of such “runways” is important in the context of optimal foraging strategies and natal or mating dispersal. These tunnels are built in the course of a long time, and in social species, by several animals. Although the ability to keep the course of digging has already been described in the 1950s, its proximate mechanism could still not be satisfactorily explained. Here, we analyzed the directional orientation of 68 burrow systems in five subterranean rodent species (Fukomys anselli, F. mechowii, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Spalax galili, and Ctenomys talarum) on the base of detailed maps of burrow systems charted within the framework of other studies and provided to us. The directional orientation of the vast majority of all evaluated burrow systems on the individual level (94%) showed a significant deviation from a random distribution. The second order statistics (averaging mean vectors of all the studied burrow systems of a respective species) revealed significant deviations from random distribution with a prevalence of north–south (H. argenteocinereus), NNW–SSE (C. talarum), and NE–SW (Fukomys mole-rats) oriented tunnels. Burrow systems of S. galili were randomly oriented. We suggest that the Earth’s magnetic field acts as a common heading indicator, facilitating to keep the course of digging. This study provides a field test and further evidence for magnetoreception and its biological meaning in subterranean mammals. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for future field experiments.
Fil: Malewski, Sandra. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; Alemania
Fil: Begall, Sabine. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; Alemania
Fil: Schleich, Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina
Fil: Antenucci, C. Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina
Fil: Burda, Hynek. University Of Duisburg-e;Department Of General Zoology; Alemania
description Subterranean rodents are able to dig long straight tunnels. Keeping the course of such “runways” is important in the context of optimal foraging strategies and natal or mating dispersal. These tunnels are built in the course of a long time, and in social species, by several animals. Although the ability to keep the course of digging has already been described in the 1950s, its proximate mechanism could still not be satisfactorily explained. Here, we analyzed the directional orientation of 68 burrow systems in five subterranean rodent species (Fukomys anselli, F. mechowii, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Spalax galili, and Ctenomys talarum) on the base of detailed maps of burrow systems charted within the framework of other studies and provided to us. The directional orientation of the vast majority of all evaluated burrow systems on the individual level (94%) showed a significant deviation from a random distribution. The second order statistics (averaging mean vectors of all the studied burrow systems of a respective species) revealed significant deviations from random distribution with a prevalence of north–south (H. argenteocinereus), NNW–SSE (C. talarum), and NE–SW (Fukomys mole-rats) oriented tunnels. Burrow systems of S. galili were randomly oriented. We suggest that the Earth’s magnetic field acts as a common heading indicator, facilitating to keep the course of digging. This study provides a field test and further evidence for magnetoreception and its biological meaning in subterranean mammals. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for future field experiments.
publishDate 2018
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2018-10-31
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/88069
Malewski, Sandra; Begall, Sabine; Schleich, Cristian; Antenucci, C. Daniel; Burda, Hynek; Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?; PeerJ Preprints; PeerJ; 6; 31-10-2018; 1-15
2167-8359
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/88069
identifier_str_mv Malewski, Sandra; Begall, Sabine; Schleich, Cristian; Antenucci, C. Daniel; Burda, Hynek; Do subterranean mammals use the Earth’s magnetic field as a heading indicator to dig straight tunnels?; PeerJ Preprints; PeerJ; 6; 31-10-2018; 1-15
2167-8359
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://peerj.com/articles/5819
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.7717/peerj.5819
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv PeerJ Preprints
publisher.none.fl_str_mv PeerJ Preprints
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
reponame_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
collection CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname_str Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.name.fl_str_mv CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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score 12.976206

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