The loggerhead turtle picks the beach with a "magnetic field" similar to the beach where she was born as a spawning place

byTony Hisgett

Many types of animals have the ability to sense the earth's magnetic field,There is a possibility that the bird is judging the direction by seeing the magnetic field visuallyResearch results have also been announced. Meanwhile,Loggerhead turtleWhen discovering the spawning beach, it was discovered that there is a characteristic that appears on a beach with a magnetic field similar to that of the beach where she was born.

Evidence that Magnetic Navigation and Geomagnetic Imprinting Shape Spatial Genetic Variation in Sea Turtles: Current Biology
http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(18)30351-8?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982218303518%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

Scientists have discovered a fascinating link between magnetic fields and turtle nesting
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-discovered-a-fascinating-link-between-magnetic-fields-and-turtle-nesting

Current BiologyBiologist at the University of North Carolina who released research results toKenneth Roman"The loggerhead turtle has amazing characteristics of crossing the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific solely after it was born and returning again.The loggerhead turtle will come back from the beach in the vicinity of the border or very close to the beach It is a beach with a similar magnetic field. "

In order to investigate whether there is a correlation between the genetic structure of the loggerhead turtle and the magnetic character of the birth beach, Roman et al. 'S research group searched for 834 animals from twenty different loggerhead eggs located on the southeastern coast of the United States Gene samples were obtained and analyzed. As a result, the similarity of the loggerhead genes revealed that there is a remarkable relation to the magnetic properties than the geographical characteristics existing on 20 beaches. It was confirmed that the group of loggerhead turtles making nests on beaches with similar magnetic fields are genetically similar.

This result reinforces the theory that the loggerhead turtle who has traveled a long distance returns to the beach where he was born and lay eggs, "Because it senses the magnetic field of the beach". Even when we homecoming away from the birth beach geographically, it is suggested that it appears on a beach with a very similar magnetic field, so there is a possibility that it will be useful research results for conservation activities of loggerhead turtles.

byFlorida Fish and Wildlifes

Of course, not only the magnetic character of the birth beach occupies all of the genetic factors of the loggerhead turtle. Also, it is unknown what kind of magnetic parameters the loggerpersons use as guidelines for identifying the beach you are aiming for, and it is still necessary to conduct research on the hometown of the loggerhead turtle in the future.

In response to this research result, Mr. Roman said, "The fact that we discovered" the magnetic properties of the beach that bore the genetic characteristics of the loggerhead turtle are related "is not only the loggerhead turtle, but also salmon and sharks, We will also give a new perspective on the ecology of animals traveling over long distances using other magnetic fields such as migratory birds. "