Meeting Abstract
The strength and inclination angle of the geomagnetic field vary predictably with latitude and magnetically sensitive animals can use these cues to derive a sense of location during migrations. Our previous work has demonstrated that the yellow stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis, can detect magnetic fields from permanent magnets. However, it is unknown if elasmobranchs can detect changes in the strength or inclination angle of a magnetic field. Naïve stingrays were placed into two treatment groups and their initial response to magnetic stimuli served as a control. Magnetic stimuli were 2.5X the range of values that this species would encounter across its distribution. Individual stingrays were trained to shuttle across an experimental tank when the magnetic field strength (+45 uT) or the inclination angle (+75°) surrounding the tank was altered by two orthogonal Merritt four-coil electromagnets. Once the rays learned the task the rays were then exposed to stimuli from the other treatment group to determine if the rays could discriminate between the two magnetic stimuli.
