MAGNETIC ORIENTATION IN ANURANS: A CASE STUDY ON RHINELLA ARENARUM (ANURA: BUFONIDAE)

MORATTA, MARIO ANDRÉS HERRERA; NAVAS ROMERO, ANA LAURA; QUIROGA, LORENA B.; ESCUDERO, CONSUELO

Revista Latinoamericana de Herpetologia

Sociedad Herpetológica Mexicana A.C.

Año: 2023

2594-2158

The Earth’s Magnetic Field (EMF) is one of the most uniform and accessible sources of directional information that animals can use for behavioral movements. The present study aimed to determine the ability of Rhinella arenarum to perceive the EMF. To assess the influence of the EMF on anurans in situ we collected forty-four adult specimens of R. arenarum during the breeding season. We recorded the movement of each toad from the center to the periphery of the circular arena utilizing a night vision camera. We repeated the experiment after five minutes, with an additionally Induced Magnetic Field (IMF), which was created by two Helmholtz air coils. The movements of the toads under the presence of the EMF and IMF were significantly different. We concluded that R. arenarum could use the EMF as a navigation mechanism and location system, to travel long distances to spawning ponds year after year.