Does your dog have a SUPERSENSE? Researchers find molecule that can sense magnetic fields in the eyes of canines, bears and orangutans

  • Study reveals 'magnetoreception' molecule in the eyes of some mammals
  • This may let dog-like carnivores, some primates to perceive magnetic fields
  • Molecule may work similarly to light-activated internal compass of birds
  • Molecule was not detected in cat-like carnivores, including cats and lions

By Cheyenne Macdonald For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Dogs and some primates may have an internal compass linked to their visual systems, a new study claims.

A light-sensitive molecule found in the eyes of some mammals may give them a magnetic sense similar to that of migratory birds.

Researchers in Germany have traced this 'magnetoreception' molecule to dog-like carnivores, from dogs to bears, and primates including orangutans.

Dogs and some primates may have an internal compass linked to their visual systems, thanks to a light-sensitive molecule in their eyes, a new study from Germany claims.

Dogs and some primates may have an internal compass linked to their visual systems, thanks to a light-sensitive molecule in their eyes, a new study from Germany claims.

CAN DOGS 'SEE' MAGNETIC FIELDS? 

Researchers have found cryptochrome 1 in the blue-sensitive cones of some animals' eyes.

This includes dog-like carnivores, such as dogs, wolves, bears, foxes, and badgers, and some primates, including the orangutan.

In birds, cryptochrome 1a works to create an internal compass, allowing the animals to sense inclination of Earth's magnetic fields when activated by light.

The team says they may now have found the mammalian equivalent.

Based on its location, the team explains it is unlikely that it controls circadian rhythm, or acts as a visual pigment for colour perception.

The researchers draw upon similarities between the blue cones of mammals, and the blue- to UV-sensitive cones of birds.

These systems correspond on an evolutionary level, and the researchers suspect the function of the molecule is also comparable.

Light-sensitive molecules known as 'cryptochromes' can be found among bacteria, plants, and animals.

These molecules have a hand in controlling the circadian rhythms of animals. 

Cryptochrome 1a in birds' eyes – in the blue- to UV-sensitive cone photoreceptors – allows them to sense the inclination of magnetic field lines in the presence of light.

Now, researchers have detected the mammalian equivalent.

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt collaborated with Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, the Goethe University Frankfurt, and the Universities of Duisburg-Essen and Göttingen to investigate this molecule, called cryptochrome 1.

The researchers examined 90 species of mammal, looking for cryptochrome 1.

In some species of the carnivore and primate groups, the team found that this molecule was present in the blue-sensitive cones of their eyes.

This was the case in dog-like carnivores, such as dogs, wolves, bears, foxes, and badgers, and some primates, including the orangutan.

But, the researchers did not find cryptochrome 1 in cat-like carnivores, including cats, lions, and tigers.

The team looked at 16 other mammalian orders, but did not find this molecule active within the cone cells of the retina.

Researchers suggest that this molecule, found in the light-sensitive outer region of the cone cells, may be used to recognise the Earth's magnetic field.

Dog-like carnivores, such as dogs, wolves, bears, foxes, and badgers, and some primates, including the orangutan were all found to have the molecules.

Dog-like carnivores, such as dogs, wolves, bears, foxes, and badgers, and some primates, including the orangutan were all found to have the molecules.

Based on its location, the team explains it is unlikely that it controls circadian rhythm, or acts as a visual pigment for colour perception.

Still, the team says many mammals have displayed behaviours which indicate they sense the Earth's magnetic field, including humans.

Foxes have even been found to be more successful in catching prey when pouncing in a north-east direction.

Cryptochrome 1a in birds' eyes ¿ in the blue- to UV-sensitive cone photoreceptors ¿ allows them to sense the inclination of magnetic field lines in the presence of light. Now, researchers have detected the mammalian equivalent

Cryptochrome 1a in birds' eyes – in the blue- to UV-sensitive cone photoreceptors – allows them to sense the inclination of magnetic field lines in the presence of light. Now, researchers have detected the mammalian equivalent

'Nevertheless, we were very surprised to find active cryptochrome 1 in the cone cells of only two mammalian groups, as species whose cones do not contain active cryptochrome 1, for example some rodents and bats, also react to the magnetic field,' says Christine Nießner of the Max Planck Institute.

DOGS ALIGN WITH EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELDS WHEN THEY POOP

According to a Czech study published in 2013, dogs not only align their bodies with the Earth’s north-south axis when going to the toilet, but this position can be affected by the slightest of fluctuations in the planet’s magnetic field. 

The researchers found that in the morning, dogs tended to position their bodies towards the west, but would then shift to an easterly direction in the afternoon.

However, this only happened when the magnetic field was what’s called ‘stable’ - when it sits along the existing axis and isn’t fluctuating.

The magnetic field can become ‘unstable’ during solar flares, for example, and when this happened the dogs' positions were more random. Researchers from the Czech University of Life Sciences studied the body positions of 70 dogs across 37 breeds as they went to the toilet on walks.

They also ruled out that the time of day, and therefore the position of the sun, played a part because they studied the dogs over different seasons when the sun’s position in the sky varied.

The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology.

In conclusion they found the dogs in the study preferred to 'excrete with the body being aligned along the North-south axis under calm magnetic field conditions.'

At times when there were fluctuations in the field, this behaviour was ‘abolished’. The behaviour was also only observed in dogs that were outside and off their leash.

However, the researchers admit they don't know why the dogs behave in this way. 

Researchers suggest some animals may have a different way of perceiving magnetic field, and some have been known to have magnetite-based sensory systems that help them perceive orientation.

In the case of cryptochrome 1, the researchers draw upon similarities between the blue cones of mammals, and the blue- to UV-sensitive cones of birds.

These systems correspond on an evolutionary level, and the researchers suspect the function of the molecule is also comparable.

With further studies, the team will work to determine if cryptochrome truly gives some mammals an internal compass, or if it has an entirely different purpose in the eye. 

Dogs and some primates may have an internal compass linked to their visual systems, a new study claims. A light-sensitive molecule found in the eyes of some mammals may give them a magnetic sense similar to that of migratory birds. Pictured, one of the dogs used in the study, and a Patas Monkey.

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