The theory that pigeons' famous skill at navigation is down to iron-rich nerve cells in their beaks has been disproven by a new study published in Nature.
The study shows that iron-rich cells in the pigeon beak are in fact specialized white blood cells, called macrophages. This finding, which shatters the established dogma, puts the field back on course as the search for magnetic cells continues.
"The mystery of how animals detect magnetic fields has just got more mysterious," said Dr David Keays who led the study.
Lees meer: ScienceDaily
The study shows that iron-rich cells in the pigeon beak are in fact specialized white blood cells, called macrophages. This finding, which shatters the established dogma, puts the field back on course as the search for magnetic cells continues.
"The mystery of how animals detect magnetic fields has just got more mysterious," said Dr David Keays who led the study.
Lees meer: ScienceDaily
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