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Birds are often very accurate navigators, largely thanks to many species' ability to perceive magnetic fields. But new research suggests that animals including dogs, foxes and bears may also have the same molecules in their eyes -- meaning they could also, potentially, have some ability to perceive magnetic fields.
The research, undertaken by the Max Planck Institute and published in *Nature Scientific Reports,*found that animals including "dogs, wolves, bears, foxes, badgers, orang-utans and macaques" have the field-sensing molecule cryptochrome 1a present in their retinas.
The finding does not necessarily mean the animals can perceive fields just like birds, but the team notes that it is present in the same place -- the outer segments of the mammals' blue- to UV-sensitive cone photoreceptors -- as in many avians. In birds, the molecule is activated by magnetic fields, which allow them to navigate so precisely. And this location may suggest that other animals could navigate in a similar way.
Some of the animals already show signs of being affected by magnetic fields, the team says. "Foxes are more successful at catching mice when they pounce on them in a north-east direction," explained Christine Nießner, who worked on the study.
The team are keen to stress that the mere presence of the molecule may not indicate that any one animal can perceive magnetic fields -- it's part of a wider group of molecules that helps regulate circadian rhythms related to sleep. But they are hopeful that the research will further understanding of their magnetic perception. "Many fundamental questions remain open in the research on the magnetic sense. Future studies will have to reveal whether the cryptochrome 1 in the blue cones is also part of a magnetic sense in mammals or whether it fulfils other tasks in the retina," they wrote.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
