Progress in the biological magnetoreception mechanisms of pigeon geomagnetic navigation
10.3969/j.issn.1671-7856.2025.09.014
- VernacularTitle:信鸽地磁导航的生物学磁感知机制研究进展
- Author:
Yong ZHAO
1
;
Fang WANG
;
Pengpeng WU
;
Changhong SHI
Author Information
1. 空军军医大学实验动物中心,西安 710032
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
homing pigeons;
geomagnetic field;
geomagnetic navigation;
magnetoreception mechanism;
model
- From:
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine
2025;35(9):145-152
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Homing pigeons and many other animals have exquisite geomagnetic sensing ability and can accurately find appropriate paths and directions during long-distance migration.Homing pigeons are the preferred animal model for studies of biological geomagnetic navigation.Despite substantial progress in research on bio-geomagnetic navigation over the past few decades,the biological mechanism is still unclear.In this paper,we review recent advancements in research on biological magnetoreception using homing pigeons.We focus on the magnetic sensing mechanisms of the magnetoreceptor models based on nanoscale ferromagnetic particles and the light-dependent radical pair model.Key directions for biological magnetoreception research are proposed.This review provides an improved theoretical basis for the study of geomagnetic navigation using homing pigeons as well as insight into the operating principles of the biological magnetic perception system.
