Study reveals how long-distance ocean migrators reorient using compass headings in mid-ocean
By
Nicole Esteban
Summary
This scientific research article investigates how animals navigate during long-distance ocean migrations to specific targets. The authors developed and deployed tracking technology to study compass heading and mid-ocean reorientation behaviors in long-distance ocean migrators. The study addresses the long-standing mystery of animal navigation, building on over a century of research into how animals use celestial cues (like the sun) for compass heading, while also needing a map sense or goal-directed cues to estimate their position relative to their destination. The research provides empirical records of how these animals reorient themselves in the open ocean during migration.
Source
Twitter / XStudy reveals how long-distance ocean migrators reorient using compass headings in mid-oceanscim.agKey quotes
· 3 pulledHow animals navigate during long-distance migrations to specific targets has been an awe-inspiring mystery for a century or more
Many animals can maintain a particular compass heading by using the sun or other celestial compass
In addition to a compass sense, animals also need a mechanism to estimate their position with respect to the goal, for example, through a map sense or the use of cues emanating from the goal
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