magnetoreceptive
Magnetoreceptive describes animals or tissues that can detect magnetic fields. Magnetoreception is the sensory modality that enables animals to sense Earth's geomagnetic field to determine direction, altitude, or geographic position. This ability has been reported in a variety of taxa, including birds, insects, fish, turtles, and some bacteria. In humans, evidence for functional magnetoreception is limited and remains controversial.
Two leading mechanisms are proposed. The magnetite-based mechanism posits biogenic magnetite crystals in sensory tissues act
Ecological roles include long-distance migration, orientation, and spatial mapping. Migratory birds repeatedly align routes with the
Research and terminology: Magnetoreception is the overall sense; magnetoreceptive describes organisms or sensory cells capable of