Desert Ants Use Earth’s Magnetic Field for Navigation
Recent research led by Dr. Pauline Fleischmann at the University of Oldenburg has revealed that desert ants, specifically Cataglyphis nodus, navigate using Earth’s magnetic field, Earth.com revealed yesterday. Unlike other insects, these ants rely on the polarity of the geomagnetic field rather than its inclination for orientation.
The study involved experiments where artificial magnetic fields were manipulated. Results showed that when the magnetic field’s polarity was reversed, the ants misjudged their nest’s location, indicating their reliance on polarity for navigation. This ability is particularly advantageous for short-distance travel, contrasting with migratory species like monarch butterflies that use magnetic inclination.
Desert ants thrive in extreme environments, employing unique adaptations such as heat-shock proteins and reflective body hairs to survive high temperatures. Their navigation combines step counting and celestial cues, showcasing their remarkable behavioral ecology. This research enhances our understanding of sensory perception evolution in the animal kingdom and is published in Current Biology.
