According to a new Swedish study, the ability of birds to recognize the earth's magnetic field may be related to the protein in the eyes.
There is a theory that there may be some receptors in their eyes, and birds can perceive the earth's magnetic field. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden are now analyzing various proteins in zebra finch subjects and found that a protein called Cry4 is different from other proteins. Cry4 protein can only be maintained throughout the day or under various light conditions. It is relatively stable. grade. Cry4 belongs to a class of proteins called cryptochromes. Usually, cryptochrome mainly regulates the body's biological clock, but some studies have shown that it is very sensitive to the earth's magnetic field.
The researchers pointed out that the level of bird's eye view protein Cry4 has not changed, making it an ideal magnetic field receptor that can work at any time of the day. In contrast, the levels of other types of leuco dyes change over time throughout the day, and are therefore related to the regulation of the biological clock of birds. in
Previously, researchers used internal magnetic compasses to navigate. Not only do migratory birds need magnetic compasses to determine the direction, but also settlers who don’t need to move in spring and autumn to navigate. I think this is necessary. Atticus Pinsong-Rodriguez, who participated in this study, believes that all animals have magnetic receptors and can recognize the earth's magnetic field, but how animals find and use the earth's magnetic field requires detailed research. This discovery will contribute to the development of new navigation systems in the future.