Fundamental Study On Biological Mechanism Of Geomagnetic Navigation In Pigeons

The navigational ability of pigeons is very outstanding.The biological mechanism of geomagnetic sensing of pigeons has attracted great attention in recent years.However,the research progress is relatively slow.In this paper,the research on pigeon's behavior,molecular biology and cell electrochemistry of pigeons under different conditions is carried out.Some innovative and provocative results are abtained while some new research methods being established.In the aspect of ethology study of pigeons' geomagnetic navigation,we have successfully designed an electronic backpack.This kind of electronic backpack can collect the information of the magnetic field in flight in addition to the traditional behavioral research information such as the geographical coordinates,altitude,speed and course of the pigeons in flight.According to others studies,it is found that some weather and transportation conditions are required during pigeons' homing processes.Control experiments are designed and carried out to verify the light condition effects on pigeons' homing behaviors.And how pigeons utilize the strength information of magnetic field during flights is analysed comprehensively.It is concluded that there is some individual difference in the pigeons' ability of utilizing magnetic field strength information.In the aspect of transcriptome study of pigeons' geomagnetic navigation,the transcriptome technique is used to study the difference of the retinal transcription level of racing pigeons,common pigeons and the red light induced racing pigeons.However,the presumed retinal magnetic acceptor has not been found.Although the transcription level of the cryptochrome changes.In-depth analysis of transcriptome data revealed that redlight feeding is likely to affect the pigeon's visual acuity rather than its magnetic sensing ability,which is different from previous studies on indoor ethology experiments.In the aspect of cytobiology study of pigeons' geomagnetic navigation,the retinal tissues are studied for their electrochemical responses under artificial magnetic stimulus.A novel kind of biosensor is constructed by using the nanocomplex of cellulose and gold nanoparticles and rat glioma cells in order to solve the problem of retinal cell culturing in vitro.Pigeon retinal cells adhere to the biosensor effectively and their electrochemical impedance responses are tested.The technique provides experimental foundations for the further study of the mechanism of magnetic responses of pegions' retina.