Desert ants have a unique relationship with Earth’s magnetic field – it not only serves as their compass but also plays a role in shaping their brains. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that disturbing the magnetic field around the nest entrance confuses young ant apprentices, leading to disoriented behavior and disrupted neural connections in their brains. This discovery sheds light on how magnetic fields influence brain development in animals, providing valuable insights for researchers like Robin Grob from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim.
While birds, fishes, turtles, moths, and butterflies have long been known to navigate using Earth’s magnetic field, desert ants were only added to this list in 2018. These ants initially use the magnetic field as a reference point while learning to navigate using landmarks and the sun, eventually guiding them back to the nest with its inconspicuous entrance.
Date: 2024-03-29 06:30:00
Original Source: www.sciencenews.org